The lactation period is for thirty days. During this time of lactation, the juveniles are prevented from going outside of the burrow. Entrances that are easy to escape from are blocked with rocks by the female to prevent the juveniles from leaving the burrow. During the first week of emergence, the juveniles forage and play very close to the burrow. As time goes on, they become more adventurous and explore their surroundings.
Juveniles stay with their mother for up to a year.
Occasionally adult males share a burrow with a female, but often they have a separate burrow and do not interact with their young. This fighting may stress the female such that her reproduction is compromised. Page up Expected Results Females who live in areas with little food will have lower reproductive output. Females that are fatter in year one should have higher reproductive output in year two. Females who live near unrelated females should have poorer reproductive output.