Arctic Shrew - Mating and Reproduction

Mating and Reproduction

There is little information about the mating habits of the Arctic Shrew, however males of most shrew species mate with many females, and compete with other males for females, so the assumption is that arctic shrews behave similarly. In Wisconsin, the breeding season lasts from February to August, and the breeding season is shorter in more northern areas, from April to August. Arctic shrew females give birth to one or two litters each year, and these litters range in size from 4 to 10 offspring, with an average of 7 offspring per litter. The gestation period ranges between 13 and 21 days, so the young stay with their mother until 5 to 6.5 weeks after conception, and males make no contribution to parental care. When they are born, young arctic shrews are helpless. Their mother and are cares for them until the end of the weaning period, 20 to 24 days after birth. Both female and male arctic shrews reach sexual maturity after one year. As much as 50 percent of all juveniles die in the first month, but the average lifespan of an arctic shrew in the wild is around 18 months.