Reproductive performance in female common hamsters

We monitored individual reproductive timing and output in a common hamster population in Vienna over a 3-year period. Animals were live-trapped, weighed, individually marked, and reproductive status was determined at capture. Costs of reproduction were investigated by measuring body condition shortly before hibernation and overwinter survival. Our results indicated that early emerging females had more litters and weaned more offspring per season. Body mass throughout the active season did not differ significantly between females with high and low reproductive output. High reproductive output seemed to affect the duration of the active season. Successful females had a longer postreproduction period before hibernation than less successful ones, probably serving to balance the costs of reproductive effort by extended preparation for hibernation. Also, females that had emerged early in spring and had high reproductive success were more likely to survive the subsequent winter. Hence, we found female common hamsters to vary strongly in maternal investment capacity and to tailor reproductive strategies accordingly.