Animals that produce large amounts of offspring depend upon the sheer size of the liter for the perpetuation of their species. The young mature very quickly and are not educated, as the parents are usually involved with obtaining their own food and with reproduction. Should some of the offspring become endangered, the parent will not interfere, because it is not expected that all the young survive, which is the reason for a large litter. One animal that produces large litters is the hamster. A female hamster is able to bear young when she is six weeks to two months old. The gestation period is about 16 days. Although an average litter size is from five to ten, hamsters commonly have as few as three or as many as a dozen offspring at a time. Mothers will sometimes eat their own young, particularly when the number of offspring is large. Females may produce litters up to an age of 15 months as monthly intervals. The blind, hairless young begin to grow fur in two to three days. Their eyes open after about two weeks. After ten days they begin eating solid food, though the mother will continue to nurse them for about two more weeks. In captivity, a typical hamster may live for two to three years.
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Endangered Animal Litters
Reasons for Large Litters
Parents of Large Litters
Educating Litters