Both Human and Wild!
Mother's Day is just around the corner—not only for
human moms, but for
wildlife moms too. At this time of year, many wildlife babies
are being born. Their moms will care for them in the cozy nests
or snug dens they've prepared. Then, once the babies are strong
enough, mom will get down to business.
Wildlife moms want the same things for their young that human moms want: good health, safety, and happiness. To achieve these things, wildlife moms need to teach their young some very important lessons. With each lesson, mom has one goal in mind—teaching her young how to survive. She will teach her young what to eat, where to find it, how to catch it, and how to eat it. And mom's number one lesson? How to keep from getting eaten yourself!
Job #1: Staying Safe
Listen closely, and you may hear chipmunk moms chattering to their young. If you get too close, though, mom will probably push her young back into the burrow for safety.
Mother
woodchucks teach their young warning whistles and escape strategies.
When the young move into their own burrows, mom makes daily visits. She
checks on them until she's convinced they're wise enough to be entirely
on their own.
Mind Your Manners!
Mother raccoons, river otters, and wood rats have all been seen
nipping or scolding their young to teach them to follow more closely.
Just like human
moms, some wildlife moms also appear to comfort their young if they seem
sad after a harsh scolding!
What's Good to Eat?
For two months, mother beavers nurse their kits and bring them tender bark and leaves to eat. Later, the kits will swim beside her, while she teaches them to forage (find food) and other survival skills.
Mother black bears also take their young along on foraging outings. Mom teaches them how to find fruits, nuts, and vegetation that make up most of their diet.
Ospreys teach their young to dive for fish by repeatedly dropping fish for them into the water. Gradually, the young birds realize they can dive for other fish they see in the water.
Bobcat moms teach their young how to handle prey in several steps. First, mom brings killed prey for her young to sniff. Next, she'll bring them wounded prey to paw and play with. Finally, they get live animals to practice capturing. Once they've mastered these skills, they're ready to go along on hunts.
As you can see, caring for and teaching babies is a lot of work for all moms. While planning your Mother's Day celebrations this year, do something for wildlife moms too. Helping backyard wildlife is one way to show your mom you appreciate what it takes to be a good mom.
Click here to Create Your Own Backyard Field Guide.
