In the animal kingdom, there are various examples of mothers that may exhibit behaviours that are considered unfavourable or inadequate from a human perspective. It is important to note that animal behaviour is influenced by evolutionary pressures and survival strategies, and what may seem like poor parenting to us might actually be effective for their species’ survival. Here are a few examples of animal mothers with behaviours that might be considered unfavorable.
Cuckoo
Cuckoos are notorious for their brood parasitic behaviour. They lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species and let those unsuspecting parents raise their offspring. The cuckoo chicks often outcompete and even push out the host species’ own young, leading to the abandonment or neglect of the host’s chicks.
Redback Spider
Female redback spiders are known for their cannibalistic behaviour, especially toward their own partners. After mating, the female often kills and eats the male, showing no parental care or protection for the potential offspring.
Hamsters
While hamsters can make good mothers in some cases, they have been known to cannibalide their own young, especially if they feel threatened or stressed. This behaviour is more commonly observed in hamsters that are kept as pets in captivity.
African elephant
Although African elephants are generally considered to be nurturing and protective mothers, there have been instances where some females have been observed neglecting their calves or even causing harm to them. These behaviours can be influenced by various factors, including stress, social disruptions, or the mother’s inexperience.
Brown-headed Cowbird
Similar to the cuckoo, brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites. They lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, relying on those hosts to raise their young. This behaviour often leads to the cowbird chicks outcompeting the host species’ chicks for food and resources.
Kinkajou
Kinkajous are small, rainforest-dwelling mammals that are known for their playful and inquisitive nature. However, they are also known for being neglectful mothers. Female kinkajous typically give birth to a single baby, which they will carry with them for the first few weeks of its life. After that, the baby is left to fend for itself while the mother goes out to forage for food. As a result, many kinkajou babies die before they reach adulthood.
Emperor penguin
Emperor penguins are the largest penguins in the world, and they live in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. During the breeding season, male emperor penguins will incubate a single egg on their feet for up to two months while the female goes off to feed. The male penguins do not eat or drink during this time, and they often lose up to 40 per cebt of their body weight. As a result, many male emperor penguins die before their chicks hatch.
Dolphins
Dolphin mothers are known for their intelligence and their close bonds with their young. However, they can also be neglectful mothers. In some cases, dolphin mothers have been known to abandon their calves altogether. This is often due to stress or environmental factors, such as pollution.
Spider monkeys
Spider monkeys are intelligent and social animals that live in groups of up to 30 individuals. However, they are also known for being neglectful mothers. Female spider monkeys typically give birth to one or two babies, which they will carry with them for the first few months of their lives. After that, the babies are left to fend for themselves while the mother goes off to forage for food. As a result, many spider monkey babies die before they reach adulthood.