![]() She has to give birth to two cubs through that, and for first-time moms the rate of death is significant - it's something like 30 percent - and the asphyxiation rate for cubs is extremely high. This is basically a long tube - picture a foot-long hot dog, and you have the idea. įor birthing, humans do have it pretty bad, but not as bad as the poor hyena, which has to give birth through her pseudopenis. And if that offspring dies - which often will happen in the animal kingdom - that's such a significant investment that's just gone. They're pregnant for nearly two years, so by the time they actually give birth, they've already lent their bodies to this offspring for a lengthy period. What are some of the harsh realities of animal motherhood that might make human mothers think, "I don't have it so bad after all?"Ĭarin Bondar: Just based on the length of gestation, an elephant is a good example. Live Science: Being a mother is hard work - more so for some than for others. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Bondar recently spoke to Live Science about the vast diversity of mothering approaches in the animal kingdom, revealing many surprising parallels to the practices of human mamas. In her book, Bondar takes on these and other fascinating aspects of motherhood - from dolphin moms teaching newborns how to swim (and breathe) to lion "communes" where groups of mothers nurse each others' cubs to mourning practices among chimpanzees for deceased infants.
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