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| Newswatch |
Devils breeding earlier to combat disease
Hobart researchers have published a report in an American journal concluding that female Tasmanian devils are reaching sexual maturity and breeding earlier, probably in an effort to overcome devil facial tumour disease (DFTD).
According to the report, traditionally it was very rare for devils to breed before the age of two years. Currently however, sixty percent of one-year-old devils are breeding.
Correlating the ages to human terms the researchers describe them as equivalent to being teenagers.
The change is believed to be in response to the massive reduction in population numbers overall. This has has left vast areas which are abundant in food and without competition, suitable for raising young.
Full article at SMH
Posted by: admin on 14 Jul 2008 07:37 PM.
Updated by: admin on 14 Jul 2008 07:37 PM
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