Photo: Supplied.
RANGER STACEY THOMSON IS PRINCIPAL ADVISER – COMMUNITY EDUCATION (REDLAND CITY COUNCIL)
Everyone loves a baby, and each animal species has its own unique baby journey, whether new life hatches from an egg or begins from birth.
Marsupial mums have a short gestation period – a koala joey the size of a jellybean is born after 35 days gestation, while a squirrel glider arrives after just 18 days.
For human mums, pregnancy is typically 40 weeks. Once the precious little bundle arrives, it needs parental care and support for many years. In fact, even when our babies grow up and reach independence, they may choose to remain in the family “nest” for an extended period.
Speaking of nests, many birds are fantastic parents…like ducks, tawny frogmouths, ospreys, and kookaburras. They incubate eggs, feed, protect and teach their offspring, in preparation for life in the big wide world.
But what if you come across a baby bird alone? To determine if help is needed, check for feathers!
If the cute chick has no feathers or fluffy down, expert assistance is required. Redlands 24-hour Wildlife Rescue Service is just a phone call away (3833 4031).
If it’s a fledgling with flight feathers it will be learning to fly, gaining strength as it flutters between the ground and low vegetation. The parents are most probably supervising from a nearby tree. You should leave these ones alone – we certainly don’t want to be responsible for a chick-napping!
Animal parents display varying levels of care and dedication to their offspring. Some creatures like blue tongue lizards are independent from the start. Yep, these familiar backyard skinks give birth to up to 19 perfectly developed young. They immediately feed on the placenta for nourishment, shed their skin within a few days, and hit the ground running.
The echidna and platypus are the only egg-laying mammals in the world, known as monotremes. Babies are called puggles – even the name has the cute factor!
About 22 days after mating the echidna mum lays a single egg into a pouch-like fold of skin. After around ten days, the hairless and blind puggle uses its egg tooth to crack open the shell. From here, it drinks milk from mum’s milk patches to grow and develop its spiky exterior.
Next time you see a baby bird, mammal, or reptile, take a moment to admire the beauty and wonder of nature!
Until next time … Stay Wild!
