Reproduction in a laboratory colony of bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus

Abstract

Reproduction was studied in a laboratory colony of bank voles, Clethrionomys glareolus. Litter size was mainly dependent on parity, the mean being 4.3 in primiparous and 5.3 in multiparous females. Mortality of young during the nursing period was also affected by the order of litter, with a minimum in the third litter (14%). Most of this mortality took place during the first 3 days after birth. Gestation was 18.3 days in primiparous females. Postpartum estrus and mating was usual and the length of the resulting pregnancy was prolonged by lactation (19.1 days for zero sucklings vs. 22 days for four or more sucklings).