mammals -vs- reptiles

[devans]

When a human baby is born it needs nurturing from its mother for a certain amount of time B4 it becomes self sufficient, as does an elephant, for example. Reptiles are "born ready" and need no nurturing. There is a TERM for this...what is this called?

 

[Mister Micawber]

'altricial' vs 'precocial'-- but I'm not sure whether these terms are used with all animal groups; they are usually applied to different types of birds (chickens are precocial; sparrows are altricial).

 

[MikeNewYork]

'altricial' vs 'precocial'-- but I'm not sure whether these terms are used with all animal groups; they are usually applied to different types of birds (chickens are precocial; sparrows are altricial).

Good answer. I believe that "precocial" is used for reptiles and amphibians as well as for birds.

 

[Mister Micawber]

. . . on the other hand, I was a precocious child. . . .

 

[Casiopea]

'altricial' vs 'precocial'-- but I'm not sure whether these terms are used with all animal groups; they are usually applied to different types of birds (chickens are precocial; sparrows are altricial).

Thanks! I was wondering what the term was. A++ :up:

In biology, precocial species are those that are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. The opposite of precocial is altricial. The distinction between precocial and altricial species is particularly sharp in birds. Precociality is of course also found in other groups. Familiar examples of precocial mammals are most ungulates, the guinea pig, and most species of hare.

 

[Mister Micawber]

And hare's to you, Cassy! Good work-- I often forget that sources of information exist.

 

[Casiopea]

And hare's to you, Cassy! Good work-- I often forget that sources of information exist.

ohmygawd! :lol: Let the source be with you!

 

[Tdol]

In biology, precocial species are those that are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching.

Not me then.;-)