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Growth and development of the Tasmanian devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) at Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria, Australia
Author(s) -
Phillips B.T.,
Jackson S.M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
zoo biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.5
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1098-2361
pISSN - 0733-3188
DOI - 10.1002/zoo.10092
Subject(s) - biology , litter , crown rump length , linear growth , rump , anatomy , ecology , fetus , pregnancy , genetics , first trimester , mathematics
A study of the growth and development of the Tasmanian devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) was undertaken on a litter born at Healesville Sanctuary in Healesville, Victoria, Australia. Measurements of crown–rump length, head length, and head width were recorded every week from birth. Body weight was recorded weekly once the joeys were detached from the teat at 142 days of age, until 218 days of age. The growth curves revealed an initial linear increase in crown–rump lengths until approximately 60 days of age, when the gradient increased, while head length and head width showed a largely linear increase with age. The appearances of various morphological characteristics were also recorded. Zoo Biol 22:497–505, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.