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It depends on the Animal.

The following animals have gestation periods (measured in days) that are LONGER than humans:

cow 279-292 horse 330-342 llama 330 seal 330 sea lion (California) 350 zebra (Grant's) 361-390 donkey 365 giraffe 420-450 rhinoceros (black) 450 whale (sperm) 480-590 elephant (Asian) 616

Further information to answer the question:

Marsupials, on e whole, have short gestation periods. marsupials include animals such as kangaroos and wallabies, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, possums, bandicoots, etc.

The gestation period of marsupials is shorter than placental mammals of the same size because the young joeys, while in the uterus, have only a yolk-like placenta to sustain them for a short period of time. They are born, then make their way to the mother's teats, which are usually located within a pouch. There, they attach to a teat which swells in the joey's mouth and provides all the nutrition the joey needs to continue its development. The reason why these animals have such a short gestation period is because the pouch protects them, while the mothers' milk, supplied through the teat to which the joeys remain attached for several months, nurtures them much as the placenta does in placental mammals.

The other reason why so many animals - including some placental mammals - have short gestation periods is that they have shorter lifespans. A rat, for example, has a lifespan of 2-3 years, and it has a gestation period of just 21-23 days. It would make no sense for an animal with a short lifespan to spend a large portion if its life with a single pregnancy. This would not necessarily ensure continuation of the species.

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What factor in animals limits the length of gestation period?

One factor that limits the length of gestation in animals is the size of the pelvis, which determines the maximum size a newborn can be for safe delivery. Another factor is metabolic constraints, as longer gestation periods require more energy and resources for both the mother and the developing fetus. Additionally, environmental factors such as predation risk or seasonal changes may also influence the length of gestation.


The gestation perod for all mammals is?

The gestation periods for mammals differs greatly. In general it appears to be very short in small mammals, (some shrews and mice are only a few days) while increasing in length as the mammal increases in size. Elephants, hippos, bears whales and other large mammals have gestation periods lasting 9 to 18 months.


What animal has the shortest baby stage?

Marsupials in general have short gestation periods since the babies are born into the pouch at a rather underdeveloped state. I think the shortest animal gestation period if I remember correctly is that of the opposum, it's 12-13 days long.


Which animal has the shortest gestation period?

Marsupials in general have short gestation periods since the babies are born into the pouch at a rather underdeveloped state. I think the shortest animal gestation period if I remember correctly is that of the opposum, it's 12-13 days long.


How does gestation vary among animals?

Gestation varies widely among animals, with some species like elephants having a gestation period of around 22 months, while others like mice have a gestation period of only 19-21 days. The length of gestation is influenced by factors such as the species' size, metabolic rate, and reproductive strategies.

Related Questions

Do smaller animals have longer gestation periods than bigger animals?

Not necessarily. Gestation periods can vary greatly among different species regardless of their size. Small animals like mice can have shorter gestation periods compared to larger animals like elephants. The length of gestation is more closely tied to the specific reproductive biology and development of each species.


What type of mammals have relatively short gestation periods?

Small ones.


What animal doesnt have a gestation period?

Only animals which are viviparous (give birth to live offspring) have gestation periods.


What are gestation periods in animals?

Each animal has a different gestation period. A cat is 50 days and a dog is 63 days.


What breeds of cattle have short gestation periods?

The following breeds have a short gestation period (note that not all breeds with short gestation periods will be listed here):AngusDexterGuernseyJerseyMeuse Rhine IsselRed AngusSpeckle ParkIt was originally believed that rate of maturity was correlated with rate of gestation. This is now not the case. Rate of maturity is simply carcass maturity, or the time when an animal starts to lay down fat, and has nothing to do with age of puberty nor gestation length.


Do animals who live in the water have shorter gestation periods than animals who live on land.?

I don't think so but maybe it is. But out of prediction I can say that animals that live in water have shorter gestation periods than animals on land because it takes a baby 9 months to get out of the mother's womb. Just my guess.


What is the shorest animal gestation period?

The shortest known gestation period among mammals is that of the Virginia opossum, which lasts about 12 days. This brief gestation allows the tiny, underdeveloped young to continue their development in the mother's pouch after birth. Other animals, like some species of rodents, also have short gestation periods, but the opossum holds the record among mammals.


What is the relationship between life span and gestation period?

Gestation period and lifespan are positively correlated, as the Animals with fast life cycles (short lifespan) will have fast gestation periods. This is because they evolved to live quickly due to predators and competition for food. Professor William Amos, Professor of Evolutionary Genetics, University of Cambridge


What type of animals cause population growth?

Animals that reproduce quickly and have short gestation periods, such as rabbits, rodents, and insects, are known to cause population growth because they can produce many offspring in a short amount of time. These animals can quickly outpace their predators and competitors if conditions are favorable, leading to rapid population growth.


What can you infer based on the preceding information about how marsupials differ from placental mammals?

Thier gestation periods are diffrent. Marsupials have a short gestation date while mammels are normally long.


How does gestation times and mammals compare?

Yes placental mammals have quite long gestation periods. The length is often comparable to size of the animal, larger animals like elephants and hippos have very long gestation.


Why are gestation periods important?

Gestation periods are important because they allow for proper growth and development of the fetus inside the womb. The length of gestation determines the readiness of the offspring for independent survival after birth. Different species have different gestation periods suited to their evolutionary needs.