Table of Contents
What animal has the shortest gestation period?
The shortest known gestation is that of the Virginian opossum, about 12 days, and the longest that of the Indian elephant, about 22 months.
What is the longest gestation period for a shark?
104 Weeks Along. Some shark species carry their young in their womb, similar to mammals. The spiny dogfish shark can be pregnant for up to 24 months—making it the longest gestation period of any vertebrate.
What animal has the second longest gestation period?
The African elephant has the longest gestation period followed by the Asian Elephant & Sperm Whale.
| Rank | Mammal | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elephant (African) | 645 |
| 2 | Elephant (Asian) | 617 |
| 3 | Whale (sperm) | 480–590 |
| 4 | Rhinoceros (black) | 450 |
How long is elephant pregnancy?
Asian elephant: 18 – 22 months
African bush elephant: 22 months
Elephant/Gestation period
Why is elephant gestation so long?
Researchers hypothesize that in order for the elephants’ brains to be fully developed to the point of surviving outside the womb, elephants need the longer gestation. After all, the elephant has the largest brain of all land animals!
How long are gorillas pregnant?
Western gorilla: 257 days
Gorillas/Gestation period
Which animal has gestation period of only 13 days?
Marsupials have very short gestation periods (the time the young spend in the mother’s tummy). The Virginia opossum (the only marsupial in Michigan) has a gestation period of only 13 days, and the young are only the size of a question mark when they are born.
Which animal has a short pregnancy?
Stripe-faced dunnart – 11 days
What animal has the shortest gestational period?
The animal with the shortest gestation period is the Virginia opossum, with an average of 12 days. However, opossums are marsupials and give birth to partially developed young.
Which organism has the largest gestation period?
The African elephant has the longest gestation period followed by the Asian Elephant & Sperm Whale. Elephant (African) Elephant (Asian) Whale (sperm) Rhinoceros (black) Giraffe Donkey Zebra (Grant’s) Camel (Bactrian) Sea lion (California) Alpaca