Login | DPI Staff queries on depositing or searching to era.daf.qld.gov.au

Studies of Macropodidae in Queensland. 3. Reproduction in the grey kangaroo (Macropus major) in Southern Queensland

Share this record

Add to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to XAdd to WechatAdd to Microsoft_teamsAdd to WhatsappAdd to Any

Export this record

Kirkpatrick, T.H. (1965) Studies of Macropodidae in Queensland. 3. Reproduction in the grey kangaroo (Macropus major) in Southern Queensland. Queensland Journal of Agricultural and Animal Sciences, 22 (3). pp. 319-328.

[img]
Preview
PDF
489kB

Abstract

Reproduction in the grey kangaroo has been studied in captivity and in two field populations. In captive animals, the oestrous cycle ranged from 41 to 43 days and the gestation period from 35 to 38 days. Pouch life of the young averaged 297 days; the interval between successive births, in the absence of a delayed embryo, averaged 356 days. Delayed embryos in captive females were produced at an oestrus occurring between 112 and 243 days after a birth; the delayed birth normally occurred when the first pouch young was between 291 and 312 days old. Female kangaroos in the field commenced reproductive activity at ages ranging from 17 to 28 months, with reduced fertility in old age (over 16 years). Delayed embryos were seldom found in field-collected kangaroos and only in those with pouch young older than 174 days. No defined breeding season was apparent, though more young were conceived during October-December than at other times. Approximately 50% of young failed to reach independence. Young suckled until 18 months of age both in captivity and in the field. Males were observed to be reproductively effective between the ages of 3 and 15 years.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland
Subjects:Science > Biology > Reproduction
Science > Biology > Ecology
Science > Zoology > Chordates. Vertebrates > Mammals > Marsupialia. Marsupials > Diprotodontia (Kangaroos, koalas, possums, wombats, bilbies etc)
Live Archive:27 May 2024 00:59
Last Modified:26 Jun 2024 04:52

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics