Développement physique post-natal chez le grand polatouche (Glaucomys sabrinus)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to study the postnatal physical development of the Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) from birth to the age of 55 days, when it is weaned and its socialization period ends. The effect of growth on weight and on several linear measurements is presented with the corresponding instantaneous growth rates. The timing of different events marking the physical development is also reported. Comparison of our results with those on other sciurid species suggests that arboreal species have a slower physical development than terrestrial species, at least with regard to body weight. Our previous observations on behavioural ontogeny concurs with this hypothesis.