Where's My Mommy?
Dad's are often portrayed to be the abandoning parents in the animal kingdom. However, take a look at some of the worst mothers whose behavior doesn't exactly deserve a sincere Mother's Day Card.
Pandas
Image via Michael Nichols/National Geographic
Panda's almost always have twins when giving birth. However, they must choose only one to keep and raise. She ignores the weaker offspring in favor of the stronger one. This allows the stronger offspring to grow and allow for a greater chance of survival in the wild, while the weaker one, according to Forbes magazine, "is typically left to their fate in the wild".
It's not all her fault, though. Bamboo is extremely low in nutrients, and the mother cannot make enough milk to feed both cubs. Plus, its better to have one really strong offspring, than two weak ones, right?
It's not all her fault, though. Bamboo is extremely low in nutrients, and the mother cannot make enough milk to feed both cubs. Plus, its better to have one really strong offspring, than two weak ones, right?
Black Bears
Image via David Watts
Similar to the Panda, black bears often have more than one offspring at one time. However, when the mother gives birth to only one cub, she will very likely abandon it, deciding that just one offspring is not worth raising.
However, the cubs that do stay alive are with the mother for up to two years under her care. The mother protects her young and secures them from any danger from predators. She teaches them all that she knows, and prepares them for hunting and fending for themselves.
However, the cubs that do stay alive are with the mother for up to two years under her care. The mother protects her young and secures them from any danger from predators. She teaches them all that she knows, and prepares them for hunting and fending for themselves.
Harp Seals
Image via Luke Bryant's Flickr stream
These cute little ones deal with much anxiety when they are separated from their mothers. During the first twelve days after their birth, the mother is extremely attentive and caring, giving up eating to feed her offspring. However, once these twelve days are over, mommy says adios and is ready to mate again.
However, the harp seals are not old enough to venture out on their own just yet. They are left alone for the next couple months to defend themselves against predators, in which they will lose about half of their body weight during this lengthy fasting period. However, once these eight weeks are over, they are able to swim and hunt for their own food. With a youth like this, its not alarming that about 30% of harp seals die withing their first year of life.
However, the harp seals are not old enough to venture out on their own just yet. They are left alone for the next couple months to defend themselves against predators, in which they will lose about half of their body weight during this lengthy fasting period. However, once these eight weeks are over, they are able to swim and hunt for their own food. With a youth like this, its not alarming that about 30% of harp seals die withing their first year of life.
Hooded Grebe
Image via Erwin and Peter Collaerts
We've seen a pattern with animal mom's who favor one offspring over another. Well, the Hooded Grebe mom is no different. She favors the firstborn, and abandons the wrecked offspring's. The mother Grebe builds a nest made from rotten vegetation where both parents sit on two eggs. Once the first egg hatches, it's bye bye birdie. The parents swim away from the nest with the hatched bird and leave the other ones alone without anyone to look after them.
Let's think about the positive though, what is the mother Grebe trying to accomplish? Well, she produces an "insurance offspring", meaning at least one of the babies will survive if there is a problem with the first offspring. This is a common thing in large predatory birds.
Let's think about the positive though, what is the mother Grebe trying to accomplish? Well, she produces an "insurance offspring", meaning at least one of the babies will survive if there is a problem with the first offspring. This is a common thing in large predatory birds.
Black Eagles
Image via Qihui Hanabi's Flickr stream
Any mother can tell you how annoying and irritating it is when they hear their children arguing, but not a black eagle mother. This mother sits back and watches her young constantly argue, even when the older offspring often kills the younger one. Talk about ignorance!
Give this mother a break though. Although Black Eagles eat mainly mammals, birds, and eggs, there isn't much food distribution for all their young. These eagles are practicing something that is witnessed in many bird species. Similar to Darwin's survival of the fittest, the younger offspring is killed to allow a greater survival to the stronger offspring. So, Although the mother isn't looking out for all her children, she seems to be protecting the species as a whole.
Give this mother a break though. Although Black Eagles eat mainly mammals, birds, and eggs, there isn't much food distribution for all their young. These eagles are practicing something that is witnessed in many bird species. Similar to Darwin's survival of the fittest, the younger offspring is killed to allow a greater survival to the stronger offspring. So, Although the mother isn't looking out for all her children, she seems to be protecting the species as a whole.
Rabbits
Image via Rklawton.
All children, at some point in their childhood, complain their parents did not play with them as much as they should have. Those children should just be happy they weren't born a rabbit. Once mother rabbits give birth to their children, it's time to say goodbye. They come by for a few minutes each day to feed their young, and within a month, its all up to the children to do provide for themselves.
Give this mom a break though, she is actually, in some way, helping her young. Rabbits are very tasty prey, especially young, vulnerable newborns. Rabbit mothers provide a safe burrow for her young to stay in for the first twenty-five days after their birth to avoid mean predators.
Give this mom a break though, she is actually, in some way, helping her young. Rabbits are very tasty prey, especially young, vulnerable newborns. Rabbit mothers provide a safe burrow for her young to stay in for the first twenty-five days after their birth to avoid mean predators.
Check out More Pictures of Absent Moms in the Animal Kingdom Below:
Sources
- http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/photogalleries/mothers-day-worst-animal-moms-pictures/
- http://mentalfloss.com/article/30657/9-worst-moms-animal-kingdom
- http://www.askmen.com/top_10/entertainment/top-10-bad-animal-kingdom-mothers.html
- http://news.discovery.com/animals/zoo-animals/bad-animal-mothers-120511.htm
Page created by Tracey J.