Question

Dogs, humans, chimpanzees, camels and elephants.

Which among the above have the shortest and longest gestation period respectively?

• A. Dogs and elephants
• B. Dogs and camels
  
• C. Chimpanzees and elephants
• D. Humans and elephants

Answer 1

The correct option is A Dogs and elephants

The time period during which the embryo remains in the uterus, from the day of syngamy to the day of parturition is called gestation.

Elephants have the longest gestation period in all mammals. The average gestation period of an elephant is about 640 to 680 days or roughly 95 weeks or 18-22 months. This is one of the reasons for the declining population of elephants in the world along with a long birth interval (of 4-5 years).

Camels have a gestation period of 13 to 15 months.
Dogs have a gestation period of around 2 months.
Humans have an average period of 9 months gestation.
Chimpanzees also have a gestation period closely similar to human beings i.e. of around 9 months.