How many centimeters does a Dambov rat grow? - briefly
A Dambov rat generally attains a body length of roughly 12–15 cm. Growth ceases upon reaching sexual maturity, which occurs at about three months old.
How many centimeters does a Dambov rat grow? - in detail
The Dambov rat reaches an adult body length of approximately 12 – 15 cm, measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Newborn individuals are about 3 cm long; growth proceeds at a relatively steady rate of 1.5 cm per week during the first four weeks, after which the increment slows to roughly 0.5 cm weekly until maturity is attained at eight weeks of age.
Key factors influencing size development include:
- Genetic line: selective breeding for larger specimens can add up to 2 cm to the final length.
- Nutrition: protein‑rich diets accelerate early growth, while caloric restriction reduces the adult size by 0.8 cm on average.
- Environmental temperature: ambient temperatures between 20 °C and 25 °C promote optimal growth; lower temperatures extend the maturation period by 1–2 weeks.
Measurement protocols recommend using digital calipers with a precision of 0.1 mm, positioning the instrument along the dorsal midline to avoid tail curvature distortion. Repeated measurements at 7‑day intervals provide reliable growth curves for population studies.
Comparative data indicate that the Dambov rat grows faster than the common house mouse (Mus musculus), which averages 0.9 cm weekly during its first month, but slower than the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), which can increase by up to 2 cm per week in the same period.