Reproductive system
Mule - there is no true scrotum. The testes remain in the open inguinal canal or in the abdomen. On either side of the anus are two ∣wstanal sacs in which the caudal epididymis can lie.
In the presence of a female the testes swell and become very obvious. The penis, which may be 1.5 cm long in the adult, is easily visible below the anus, from•r
which it is separated by a small area of hairless skin. It is supported by the presence of a small bone known as the lxιcιιhιιn.
Iciniilc - the uterus consists of two long uterine horns, each of which terminates in a cervix. This is similar to the rabbit but different from the structure seen in the guinea pig. The two cervices then lead into the single vagina. Both male and female chinchillas have three pairs of ιnaιnnιarι/ glands-one inguinal pair and two lateral thoracic ones. The teats tend to protrude sideways, allowing the young to sit beside the dam and suckle.
The female chinchilla is seasonally ∕w∣ι∕oestrous and a spontaneous ovulator. Details can be found in Table 14.2 (p 189). The gestation period is 1 1 1 days, which is exceptionally long for a member of the rodent family. The young are precocial. i.e. they are born fully furred and capable of living an independent life. However, they continue to suckle from the dam until they arc weaned at about 6-8 weeks.