Maternal Care
When a mother animal takes care of her babies or eggs to help them survive.
What is it?
Maternal care is behavior where a mother protects, feeds, or nurtures her young. The Timor python shows maternal care by coiling her body around her eggs to protect them and keep them warm. Other animals that show maternal care include birds that sit on their eggs, mammals that nurse their babies, and some fish that guard their nests. The Mayan Cichlid also shows maternal care: both parents guard the eggs and fry for about a month, building a bowl-shaped nest in the mud.
Why it matters
Maternal care helps more babies survive, which is important for the species. It is a fascinating behavior that shows how animals invest in their offspring.
Where you've seen it
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