Gestation
in physiology, the carrying of young before birth. In a general way the period of gestation is longer for the larger animals. The period is short for young that come blind or otherwise immature, as in the case of kittens. The following is a list of a few animals and the average or usual period of gestation for each:
| Elephant | 2 years |
| Giraffe | 14 months |
| Dromedary | 12 months |
| Buffalo | 11 months |
| Mare | 11 months |
| Cow | 9 months |
| Deer | 8 months |
| Monkey | 7 months |
| Bear | 6 months |
| Sheep and goat | 5 months |
| Sow | 4 months |
| Beaver | 4 months |
| Lion | 3 1/2 months |
| Dog, wolf, and fox | 2 months |
| Cat | 50 days |
| Kangaroo | 39 days |
| Rabbit | 30 days |
| Squirrel | 28 days |
| Rat | 28 days |
| Opossum | 26 days |
Volume II · Aiton’s Encyclopedia