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(Note - timeframes
can vary by individual, geographic region, sub-specie, litter size and
other variables)
- Birth - hairless (short whiskers present),
eyelids
sealed, ear canals sealed, ear flap folded over itself; internal organs
visible through skin; claws present, toes fused; sex readily
distinguishable; weight 3 - 6 g (0.1 - 0.2 oz); length 60 mm (2 1/2 in)
- Day 1 - attempts to squirm forward on belly
while
moving limbs in uncontrolled fashion; may be able to right itself;
capable of weakly clinging to objects with forefeet
- Day 3 - animal can turn over when placed on
back;
can turn in circles about the pelvis using front limbs for propulsion;
can support head in upright position
- Day 6 - skin darkens on head and back, belly
remains pink; short hairs appear on head, chest, shoulders and midline
of back; ears erect, canals remain closed
- Day 7 - some can now right themselves from
dorsal to ventral
- Day 12 - can locomote backwards by pushing with
fore limbs; exhibits “spread reflex” when suspended
by tail
- Day 14 - face and back fur turning brown, chin
and
chest develop white fur; all toes separated, ear canals begin to open;
weight 10 - 15 g (0.35 - 0.5 oz); can right itself immediately
- Day 14 to 16 - lower incisors erupt
- Day 20 - animal almost fully furred (partially
furred belly (pink skin still visible), lateral hairs begin to develop
on tail)
- Day 21 - responds to loud noises
- Day 25 to 28 - animal now fully furred; weight
25 g
(0.87 oz), length 15 cm (6 in); upper incisors erupt; eyes open;
whiskers now 25 mm (1 in) long
- Day 33 - attempts made at washing with
forepaws;
scratch head with hind foot;
 nesting material feebly pulled and
rearranged; takes interest in solid food
- Day 35 - weighs about 30 g (1.05 oz), length
17.5 cm (7 in)
- Day 37 - first excursion outside of nest
(usually a few seconds); can ascend tree trunks slowly; unable to
descend
- Day 40 - can prop themselves on haunches
- Day 42 - weaning begins - can take several weeks
- Day 44 - horizontal jumps of 15.2 - 20.3 cm (6
- 8 in) after much head-bobbing; able to descend tree trunks
- Day 47 - leaps of 0.6 m - 0.9 m (2 - 3 ft)
Day 50 - glides up to 1.8 m (6 ft)
- Day 56 - much longer glides practiced
- Day 84 - molting of juvenile pelage begins,
head to tail; capable of independent survival
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