Shortest gestation period (mammal)

The shortest mammalian gestation period is 12–13 days and is common in a number of species. These include the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) of North America and the rare water opossum or yapok (Chironectes minimus) of central and northern South America. On rare occasions, gestation periods of as low as eight days have been recorded for some of these species.

Similar gestation periods have also been observed in the eastern dasyure, aka marsupial native cat (Dasyurus viverrinus) of Australia and the short-nosed bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) of Oceania.