Pages

A universe of beauty, mystery and wonder

A universe of beauty, mystery and wonder
©http://ottersandsciencenews.blogspot.ca/ UNAUTHORIZED USE AND/OR DUPLICATION OF THIS BLOG'S MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. EXCERPTS AND LINKS MAY BE USED, PROVIDED THAT FULL AND CLEAR CREDIT IS GIVEN TO OTTERS AND SCIENCE NEWS BLOGSPOT WITH APPROPRIATE AND SPECIFIC DIRECTION TO THE ORIGINAL CONTENT. --- THE FACTS AND OPINIONS POSTED ON THIS BLOG ARE HERE FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSE AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS OF THIS BLOG'S ADMINISTRATOR.

Monday, April 22, 2013

ANIMAL NEWS -


Stress on pregnant squirrels makes their pups grow faster

 

 

Stress on pregnant squirrels, not food, is the key to their pups' speeded up growth rate. 
 
A larger young squirrel has an edge in crowded surroundings with limited territory and limited food. 
 
Scientists played recordings of territorial squirrel vocalizations (known as "rattles") to trick moms into thinking that the forests were more densely populated.
 
A boost of stress during pregnancy helps red squirrels ensure that their pups will grow fast, due to the stress hormone cortisol. Increased cortisol even gave a boost to offspring born in big litters, which tend to have slower growth rates.
 
But there is a tradeoff to this speedy growth rate: as adults they will have shorter lives.
 

More on Red Squirrels Super-moms
http://www.livescience.com/28892-red-squirrels-stress-offspring.html

Red Squirrels moms and cute babies - picture gallery-
http://www.livescience.com/28891-images-red-squirrel-babies.html

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for visiting my blog. Your comments are always appreciated, but please do not include links.