Reproduction and postnatal development in the vlei rat, Otomys irroratus, on the van Riebeeck Nature Reserve, Pretoria

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Abstract
Reproduction and postnatal development were studied in wild-caught vlei-rats, O. irroratus, and their captive-born young. No breeding was observed in the laboratory. Mean litter size was 2.33, varying from 1-4 young/litter. Sex ratio of neither adults nor young deviated significantly from 1:1. Females reached sexual maturity at 9-10 wk, males at 13 wk. Gestation period was estimated at roughly 40 days. There was little or no breeding activity during May, June and July but multiple litters were produced by females during the remaining 9 mo. of the year. Young were precocial at birth, well-furred and with incisors present which allowed them to cling firmly to the mother''s nipples. Development was rapid, with sight and hearing present by day 2 and most adult behavior patterns present by the time of weaning on day 13. The significance of litter size, nipple-clinging and precociality is briefly discussed.