Parent-offspring Behaviour 7 Flashcards
Why is it important to understand maternal behaviour?
To prevent high infant mortality
What is post-parturient behaviour?
Protecting, nursing and teaching the young after birth
What is monotocous with precocial young?
Single, well developed young
What is polytocous with altricial young?
Many (litter bearing) less developed young
What hormone initiates and maintains milk production?
Prolactin
What are some examples of good maternal behaviours?
Licking Thermoregulation Bonding Nursing Protection Teaching
What is imprinting?
Formation of initial social bonds in precocial animals and birds
Why is it useful to know an animal’s sensitive period?
We then know when fostering can take place
What are the 5 stages of development in the dog?
- Prenatal
- Neonatal:birth-2 weeks
- Transition: 2-3 weeks
- Socialisation: 3-12 weeks
- Juvenile period: 3-8 months
Why is imminent consumption of the colostrum (first milk) important?
Provides energy, warmth and passive immunity
What is the Trivers-Willard theory?
Investment in offspring depends on the future breeding potential of offspring and the compromise to future breeding potential of mother
Investment depends on age of mother and sex of offspring
What are the effects of domestication on maternal behaviour?
Modified early experience
Changed parturition environment
Changed lactation environment (reduced space)
Early weaning
