MAMMALS : the growth

 The growth :

    Most animals simply abandon their young after birth. While mammals are different. They nurture and take care of their offspring during the perilous early days of existence while imparting valuable techniques for survival. Baby turtles only trust their instincts when they hatch, while mammals are free to play, explore and copy their parents - essential aspects of their learning. The protection of parents, coupled with their developed brains, is one of the traits that make mammals so efficient and adaptable. It is especially important in primates and in particular in humans - our childhood lasts longer than that of all other animals -.

Change of form :

    A fox cub is born helpless and blind, but quickly grows and changes shape. At 2 weeks his eyes are open, at 4 weeks he begins to come out of the den to explore. Its muzzle, ears and legs lengthen regularly, and the bulges of insulating fat on its body gradually disappear.

On the back :

    Baby anteaters travel for about a year on their mother's back. This is especially important for arboreal anteaters such as tamanduas, which live in the forests of South and Central America. The Tamandua mother provides her baby with a secure perch until it is big enough to take the risk of climbing on its own.

Protective parents !

    The growth of an elephant takes about 17 years. During its first 10 years, the baby elephant is very close to its mother. They use their tubes to maintain physical contact. Elephants live in herds made up only of females who collectively protect all the young in the group. So if a person or animal gets too close, the herd leader spreads her ears and charges while uttering thunderous trumpeting from the trunk.

Killer instinct !

    Felines sometimes give their young live prey to play with. It sounds cruel to us, but it's an important way to develop the skills they need to hunt. Young cheetahs practice killing baby gazelles, and learn to knock them down when they try to flee.

Look at mom :

    Chopping a nut with stones is one of the most difficult techniques for a chimpanzee to master. Young people take years to learn it by observing their mothers and experimenting themselves.

Snowballs !

    Young mammals are very playful. Through the game, they learn about their environment and how to fight, hunt or escape their attackers. But sometimes they seem to be playing just for fun.

>> In winter, Japanese macaques make big snowballs by rolling them on the ground, just like children make the head of a snowman !