The Incredible Maternal Instinct Of Animals
Today we will talk about the wonderful maternal instinct of animals. If you thought this was unique to humans, you were wrong.
Different species show that the maternal instinct of animals exists and is equal to or even stronger than that of humans. So it cannot be said that animals have no feelings.
Where does the maternal instinct of animals come from?
They say that nature is wise, and we have the proof of it every time we approach the animal world to know something more. Just as we are endowed with an innate maternal instinct, animals have it too. It seems to be like a chip that we all have in our brains and that pushes us to give protection and care to the most defenseless.
Jenny Holland, a National Geographic contributor and specialist in animal biology and conservation, says the brains of animals seem programmed not only to take care of others to do a good deed, but also with the goal of preserving the species.
The curious thing is that this maternal animal instinct crosses the boundaries between species, since many animals are willing to adopt other defenseless beings, even if they do not share tastes and similarities.
Do you remember The Jungle Book? Well, it wasn’t a fantastic or unreal story. Nature works just like that.
For example, whales, imposing beings, have been shown to be animals that keep an eye on and take care of anyone who needs them.
Often dolphins and other animal species have been sighted within their flock that may have recovered from fishing nets, or have been found injured or orphaned.
The same happens in the case of chimpanzees, lions, elephants and many others. The truth is, the more we reflect on this issue, the more evident it is that animals still have many lessons to teach us to be better every day. Don’t you agree?
Exceptional cases of animal maternal instinct
One case of notable maternal animal instinct could be that of elephants. These usually move in packs – females and cubs only – and walk in circles with the little ones inside to protect and care for them. Although every little elephant has its own mother, if one of them becomes an orphan, he will be adopted by the rest of the herd. He will never be left alone or helpless until he reaches adulthood.
Although elephants are docile animals with a noble soul, if someone tries to threaten their young they become the most fearsome beasts. The same happens in the case of sloths. Although many don’t know it, this lazy animal’s fame only has to do with its movements, not its personality.
This animal is not slow or lazy, but its body has a very small amount of energy that this animal must use in the best possible way and preserve to use it when strictly necessary.
One of the cases in which it is useful to use the energies is when the little ones are in danger. In those moments, sloths are able to use all the energy they have saved to protect the lives of their young. In seconds, they could tear apart any predator with their long claws.
The case of kangaroos is also splendid, because not only do they carry their young in the pouch for months to protect them, but they can kill anyone who intends to injure them with a kick.
Also, as is the case with whales and elephants, if they find a defenseless baby they will put it in their pouch for as long as necessary until he can fend for himself and face the world.
Polar bears, lions, tigers and many other species have similar characteristics when it comes to animal maternal instinct. When it is said that “mothers become animals to defend their children” is not just a proverb, but reality.
