Question 1

What is parental investment in animals?

Accepted Answer

Parental investment is how animal parents take care of their babies. This can include feeding, protecting, and teaching them skills they need to survive.

Question 2

Why is parental investment important?

Accepted Answer

Parental investment is important because it helps baby animals grow up safely and learn how to take care of themselves. Without this help, many young animals might not survive.

Question 3

Do all animals invest in their babies the same way?

Accepted Answer

No, different animals invest in their babies in different ways. Some stay with them for a long time, like elephants, while others, like some fish, leave their eggs on their own after laying them.

Question 4

What animals give a lot of care to their babies?

Accepted Answer

Animals like birds, mammals, and some reptiles give a lot of care to their babies. They might feed them, keep them warm, and protect them from danger.

Question 5

How do birds care for their babies?

Accepted Answer

Birds care for their babies by building nests to keep them safe and warm. They also bring food for their chicks until they are old enough to find food themselves.

Question 6

Do fish care for their babies?

Accepted Answer

Some fish care for their babies, while others do not. For example, seahorse dads carry the babies in a pouch, but many fish lay eggs and swim away, leaving the eggs to hatch on their own.

Question 7

Why do some animals leave their babies after birth?

Accepted Answer

Some animals leave their babies because it's safer or they have too many babies to care for each one individually. This means the babies must be ready to survive on their own right away.

Question 8

How do animals protect their babies?

Accepted Answer

Animals protect their babies by hiding them, staying near them, or scaring away predators. For example, deer hide their fawns in tall grass, and cats might hiss or scratch to keep threats away.

Question 9

What is an example of an animal that shares parental duties?

Accepted Answer

Penguins are a great example of animals that share parenting duties. Both the mom and dad take turns keeping the egg warm and look after the chick when it hatches.

Question 10

How do mammals feed their babies?

Accepted Answer

Mammals feed their babies with milk from the mother. This milk has all the nutrients the babies need to grow strong and healthy.

Question 11

Can you give an example of an animal that doesn't look after its babies?

Accepted Answer

Frogs often don't look after their babies. After they lay eggs in water, the tadpoles must fend for themselves once they hatch.

Question 12

Do insect parents care for their young?

Accepted Answer

Some insects care for their young, like bees and ants, where workers help raise the offspring. However, many insects lay eggs and leave them on their own, like butterflies.

Question 13

Why do baby animals need protection?

Accepted Answer

Baby animals need protection because they are small and not strong enough to defend themselves from predators or bad weather. Parents help keep them safe until they are more capable.

Question 14

How long do animal parents care for their babies?

Accepted Answer

The time animal parents care for their babies varies a lot; it can be a few days for some birds and fish, while for others like elephants and humans, it can take many years.

Question 15

What do animal babies learn from their parents?

Accepted Answer

Animal babies learn many things from their parents, such as how to find food, avoid danger, and interact with other animals. Learning these skills helps them survive as adults.

Question 16

Do reptiles give a lot of care to their babies?

Accepted Answer

Most reptiles do not give a lot of care to their babies. For example, sea turtles lay eggs on a beach and then return to the sea, leaving the hatchlings to find their way to the ocean.

Question 17

Do penguins care about all their eggs equally?

Accepted Answer

Penguins usually care for just one egg at a time, which they keep warm by balancing it on their feet. They give a lot of attention to that one egg to help it survive.

Question 18

What is unique about how kangaroos care for their babies?

Accepted Answer

Kangaroos have a special pouch where their babies, called joeys, stay warm and drink milk until they are big enough to explore outside alone. This helps keep the joey safe and nourished.

Question 19

Can both parents help raise the young in the animal kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in many species both parents help raise the young. This teamwork is common in birds like robins and in mammals like wolves.

Question 20

Why do some animals have lots of babies while others have just one or two?

Accepted Answer

Animals that have lots of babies, like fish and frogs, do so because many won't survive. Those with fewer babies, like elephants, give more care and protection to each one to help them grow up.

The Science of Parental Investment in Animals - 20 FAQs Explained Simply