How Whales, Wolves, and Crocodiles Carry Their Babies
Whales
- Whales are mammals and give birth to live young after a long gestation period (9–18 months, depending on the species)
- After birth, whale calves swim alongside their mothers, staying close for protection and to nurse on their mother's rich, high-fat milk
- Whales do not physically carry their babies in the way land mammals might, but the mother and calf maintain close contact, with the calf often riding in the mother's slipstream to conserve energy.
- Notably, there have been rare instances of whales, particularly orcas, carrying deceased calves for extended periods, which is believed to be a sign of grief and strong social bonds
Wolves
- Wolf pups are born in dens and are not carried by their mothers during normal movement.
- However, if a pup needs to be relocated (for example, if the den is threatened), the mother wolf will gently pick up the pup by the scruff of the neck using her mouth and carry it to a safer location
- This method is common among many mammals, as carrying by the scruff triggers a reflex in the pup to go limp, making transport safer and easier.
Crocodiles
- Crocodile mothers are known for their attentive care after their eggs hatch.
- Once the eggs hatch, the mother crocodile will gently pick up the hatchlings in her mouth (sometimes several at a time) and carry them from the nest to the water, usually a nursery pool, to protect them from predators and environmental hazards
- Despite their powerful jaws, crocodile mothers are remarkably gentle with their young during this process.
Summary Table
Animal| How They Carry Babies| Notable Details
---|---|---
Whales| Calves swim beside mothers| Rarely, mothers carry deceased calves in
displays of grief
Wolves| Carry pups by scruff (mouth)| Used when relocating pups to safety
Crocodiles| Carry hatchlings in mouth| Gently transport multiple babies to
water after hatching
These behaviors highlight the diverse strategies animals use to protect and transport their young, each adapted to their unique environments and evolutionary histories.
