Question

Which of the following mammals have shortest Gestation period?
1. Cow
2. Elephant
3. Cat 
4. Rat

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Rat

Concept:

• Gestation (pregnancy) can be defined as the time duration between conception and birth (delivery) of the foetus.
• It includes the development of the embryo in the uterus.
• The duration of the gestation period is variable in different species.

Explanation:

• Among the given mammals rats have the shortest gestation period
• The gestation period of a rat is about 21 - 23 days.
• The different gestation period of animals are as follows:

Animals	Gestation period
Hamsters	15 - 17 days
Rats	21 - 23 days
Rabbits	31 days
Kangaroos	32 - 39 days
Dogs	60 - 63 days
Elephants	640 - 660 days
Cats	58 – 67 days
Cows	283 days

• The shortest known gestation is that of the Virginian opossum, about 12 days.
• Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals. The pregnancies of elephants last for about a year and a half. The average gestation period of an elephant is about 640 to 660 days or roughly 95 weeks.
• The gestation period of Humans has a mean of 266 days and a standard deviation of 16 days.