Motherhood in the Wild

In some parts of the animal kingdom, the bond between mothers and their offspring is the fiercest relationship you can find. Just like humans, many animal moms have been observed going to great lengths to protect, teach and care for their young!

Orangutan offspring have a rare and lengthy “childhood,” sometimes being carried by their moms until they are five years old and learning from her until they are around ten! Independent female orangutans have even been observed visiting their mothers until they are 15 – 16 years old (even teens need their moms!)

In the wild, pride lionesses sometimes synchronize their reproduction cycles to rear and nurse their young together! Lionesses are also known to fiercely defend their cubs against any threat, even if it’s a male lion trying to take over the pride! Lionesses

Matchie’s tree kangaroo

After they’re born, joeys crawl into their mother’s pouch to nurse and remain there for about ten months. While nursing, the moms will clean her pouch and groom her baby often.