Breeding and Post Natal Development of the Short Tailed Mole Rat, Nesokia indica in Arid Zone

Studies on breeding aspects including post natal development of short tailed mole rat, Nesokia indica inhabiting irrigated fields of arid region were undertaken in laboratory. The mole rats exhibited an average litter size of 4.33 and 2.85 for field collected pregnant females and laboratory bred females, respectively. Gestation period was estimated to be 22–24 days. Post natal development with respect to different body parts indicated maximum growth rate during first two months after birth. Length of hind foot stabilized by 12–13 ^th week, whereas ear and tail stabilized by 19–20^th week after birth. Head body length continued to grow up to 21 to 29 weeks after birth. In general, males grew faster than females. Observations on development of pelage, incisors, parental care, cannibalism and lactation length of short tailed mole rats are reported.