How Animals Care for Their Young

Do animals care for their young?
Yes, birds, for example, teach their young many things, from how to fly to how to find food. However, only among mammals is there a true kind of education. In human beings, the teaching process becomes very complicated. Generally, the longer it takes for an animal to reach adulthood, the more care it requires from its parents.

How long parents usually care for their babies?

This varies widely. Among birds, several weeks are all that is needed. Nevertheless, among mammals, the chamois, a goat-like antelope, will remain by its mother's side for a year, a lion cub for three years and a chimpanzee will be dependent on its mother for four to five years.

Why do they care for their young?

This care is closely linked to the survival of the species in the animal world. Over the course of thousand years, natural selection has forced animals to condition their behavior to this end.

How do parents teach their young?

Children are taught through sounds and touch. Among monkeys, for example, the mother often cares and holds her baby close to her to give it a feeling of security.

How do reptiles behave?

Mostly there is a very little interaction between a child and mother reptiles, except for the ferocious crocodile, as soon as the eggs hatch, the mother takes the babies in her jaws and carries them to the water.

Do both parents take care for their babies?

There are many different kinds of behavior. Among mammal’s it is always the female who takes care of the young, feeding them and taking them on their first hunts. However, among birds there is a close co-operation between both the parents. Swallows, for example, feed their baby jointly and teach them to fly. While with other birds, the mother sits on the nest and the father gets the food. The male Great Indian Hormel, walls up the female in the hole of a tree to protect her and their young. He brings food to the family and passes it through a small opening.