Mating time is from the middle of March, starting with February. Males must not meet at this time for they will fight, until one or the other is killed.
17.—Barren Females.
Three or four days after mating season has set in, remove the male and try some other male in, or for a few days. As the males are decided in their likes and dislikes. Neglect of this precaution will result in a large proportion of barren females.
18.—Breeding Mothers.
By April first every female should be given a separate den, and well fed and cared for.
This is the most important time of all, success or failure depends on the management of the mother at this time. Toward the end of the month she should be given raw meat and plenty of water. This diet should be given until mid-May, as this allays the meat craving which causes the mother to devour the new-born young.
I will repeat again the watchwords of success—
Proper sanitation, seclusion, and quiet, an abundance of raw meat and fresh water.
The period of gestation is nine weeks; the young are born in mid-May.
The young females have from four to six young the first litter and the older females have from eight to sixteen to one litter.