Editing Least weasel (section)

===Reproduction and development===
The least weasel mates in April–July and there is a 34- to 37-day [[gestation period]]. In the [[Northern Hemisphere]], the average litter size consists of 6 kits and these reach [[sexual maturity]] in 3 to 4 months. Males may mate during their first year of life, though this is usually unsuccessful. They are [[fecund]] in February–October, though the early stages of [[spermatogenesis]] do occur throughout the winter months. [[Estrous cycle#Anestrus|Anestrus]] in females lasts from September until February.<ref name=h474>{{Harvnb|Harris|Yalden|2008|p=474}}</ref>

The female raises her kits without help from the male. They are {{cvt|1.5|to|4.5|g}} in weight at birth. Newborn kits are born pink, naked, blind and deaf, but gain a white coat of downy fur at the age of 4 days. At 10 days, the margin between the dark upper parts and light under parts becomes visible. The [[milk teeth]] erupt at 2 to 3 weeks of age, at which point the young start to eat solid food, though lactation can last 12 weeks. The eyes and ears open at 3 to 4 weeks of age, and by 8 weeks, killing behaviour is developed. The family breaks up after 9 to 12 weeks.<ref name=h474/> There is a single litter each year and least weasels can live for 7 or 8 years.<ref name=Collins/>