Chapter 7

Question 1

What is the difference between altricial and precocial offspring?

Answer 1

Altricial offspring: Born immature, requiring extensive parental care (e.g., rats, humans).*Precocial offspring: Born relatively mature, needing less parental investment (e.g., guinea pigs

Question 2

What is the Bateman’s Principle?

Answer 2

Male reproductive success varies with the number of mates, while female success is constrained by gamete production and offspring viability

Question 3

What are the main hormones influencing parental behavior?

Answer 3

testo, prolactin, oxytocin, estrogen, porgesterone

Question 4

What are two patterns of maternal care?

Answer 4

Hider-type: Young remain hidden at the nest initially
- Example: White-tailed deer fawns stay hidden for 7–10 days
- Mothers forage for food but return to nurse their young
- Once mature enough, young leave the nest and follow their mothers
Follower-type: Young follow mothers from birth
- Example: Sheep, goats, elephants, and whales
- Mothers nurse and protect young while leading them away from danger