Reproductive and Growth Performance of the Cricetoma (Crycetomys gambianus) under Captivity

• Main Authors: Dafem, R., Zango, P., Niba, AT., Tchoumboue, J., Téguia, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux 2002-01-01
• Series: Tropicultura
• Subjects: Cricetoma; Reproduction; Growth; Captivity; Cricetomys gambianus; Cameroon
• Online Access: http://www.tropicultura.org/text/v20n3/130.pdf

Studies were conducted on the reproductive and growth performance of the cricetoma (Cricetomys gambianus) under captivity in Dschang, Cameroon from January 1999 to March 2002. A total of 80 newborns recorded from 25 births of 28 giant rats (10 males and 18 females) were used in the study. No births were recorded for the heavy rainy season months (June, July and August) while the highest number of births were recorded in the dry season months of January, April and November to December. The age at sexual maturity for males and females was 7 and 7-8 months respectively. The gestation length, sex ratio (male/female), litter size and preweaning mortality were 30.0 1.58 d, 1.2/1, 3.2 0.19 and 42.50% respectively. There was a linear increase of the mean litter size with parity. Mismothering and cannibalism as causes of mortality amounted to more than half of the percentage of total causes while more than 80% of the mortalities recorded were in the first ten days of birth (stillbirth inclusive). The weaning and mature weights for males was significantly (P< 0.05) higher than for females while no significant (P> 0.05) differences were observed in the mean daily weight gains from birth to weaning and to 12 months of age. The results reveal that considerable improvements in productivity for these species could be achieved with a reduction in preweaning mortality.