Question

The precocial calves remain hidden for the first few weeks and stay on secluded nests within their mother's home range while she feeds nearby. Using her hooves, the mother will defend her calf very vigorously. Females will allow nursing from calves other than their own and may actually adopt calves. Weaning usually takes place by six months. Young okapis have a wide repertoire of vocalizations including coughs, bleats, and whistles to maintain contact with the mother.

Option 1: True
Option 2: False

Answer 1

The passage discusses the range of parental care strategies in the animal kingdom, exemplified by the killdeer bird's protective behavior and the varying levels of independence in precocial and altricial species.

Step-by-step explanation:

The information given pertains to the care of young in various animal species, particularly focusing on the behavior of mothers and their offspring. In the context of parental care, various strategies are adopted by different species to ensure the survival of the young. For example, the killdeer bird's behavior of feigning injury to draw predators away from the nest is a method of protection. On the opposite end, in species with precocial offspring like domestic chickens, ducklings, and goslings, the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of hatching and require less intensive care. In contrast, altricial species such as the Great Frigatebird provide extensive care over prolonged periods, demonstrating the wide range of parental strategies observed in nature. The reference to calves that stay hidden in the nest and the mother's defensive behavior suggests mammalian care, where the young are nurtured and protected by the mother, often involving practices like nursing and adoption of orphans within the herd.