Wouldn't it be handy to be able to work out the age of a degu pup from its weight, or to estimate what their weight will be at a certain age?
We thought so, and so this section was created!
The following weight tables are averages based on data from our own (UK) litters. Please note that weights can vary widely depending on circumstance,
and this is for guidance only.
|
AGE OF PUP |
WEIGHT RANGE |
AVERAGE |
|
Newborn |
9-16g | 13g |
| 1 week | 15-25g | 20g |
| 2 weeks | 21-37g | 28g |
| 3 weeks | 35-52g | 43g |
| 4 weeks | 47-75g | 59g |
| 5 weeks | 60-95g | 77g |
| 6 weeks (weaned) | 48-122g | 80g |
Source: Degutopia (2002-2006) Unpublished observations.
>Detailed mean pup weight data for the first 2 weeks post partum<
Pup growth rates from birth to 2 weeks old, from British and wild (Chilean) samples bred in captivity. Taken from Long & Ebensperger (2009)*170.
>Detailed mean pup weight data for the first 6 weeks post partum<
Pup growth rates from birth to 6 weeks old, from British and wild (Chilean) samples bred in captivity. Taken from Long & Ebensperger (2009)170*.
*Source: Long, C.V. and Ebensperger, L.A. (2009) 'Pup growth rates and breeding female weight changes in two populations of captive bred degus (Octodon degus), a precocial caviomorph rodent.' Reprod Domest Anim., pp. 8, doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2009.01470.x ISSN 0936-6768. Note that the full text article can be downloaded from the articles section.