The baby hopping up at the door jam was the cutest thing in the entire world. I hope they stay healthy.
The Riverwalk in San Antonio is asploding with baby ducks right now. They get separated from their mothers very easily because of the tour boat traffic. It is sad to see all those panicking babies. Duck mothers just provide protection though, right? If the babies get past the freaking out stage and stop wasting energy, could they take care of their own needs? It doesn't matter what you really think you should say yes.
I think some species of ducks have daycare systems. I've seen other Momducks take care of someone else's kids when the little peeper's Momduck needed a break. On one memorable occasion I went to a local park and was saddened to see no baby ducks with the Momducks... until I spotted one Momduck with about 30 babies following her. Best as I could figure, every time a little peeper got separated from its Momduck, this other Momduck would pick 'em up and add it to her flotilla. I assume that after their play dates were over they went home to their own Momducks, but they didn't seem to be left to fend on their own, either.
So I don't know if it's always true (because nature is rarely so kind) but it's certainly true *sometimes*, and you can therefore believe that good things happened to the little peepers that got lost.
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timeasmymeasure
All r-selected reproductive strategies soon to end!
Date: 2007-06-08 05:58 pm (UTC)The Riverwalk in San Antonio is asploding with baby ducks right now. They get separated from their mothers very easily because of the tour boat traffic. It is sad to see all those panicking babies. Duck mothers just provide protection though, right? If the babies get past the freaking out stage and stop wasting energy, could they take care of their own needs? It doesn't matter what you really think you should say yes.
Re: All r-selected reproductive strategies soon to end!
Date: 2007-06-11 05:08 pm (UTC)I think some species of ducks have daycare systems. I've seen other Momducks take care of someone else's kids when the little peeper's Momduck needed a break. On one memorable occasion I went to a local park and was saddened to see no baby ducks with the Momducks... until I spotted one Momduck with about 30 babies following her. Best as I could figure, every time a little peeper got separated from its Momduck, this other Momduck would pick 'em up and add it to her flotilla. I assume that after their play dates were over they went home to their own Momducks, but they didn't seem to be left to fend on their own, either.
So I don't know if it's always true (because nature is rarely so kind) but it's certainly true *sometimes*, and you can therefore believe that good things happened to the little peepers that got lost.
Re: All r-selected reproductive strategies soon to end!
Date: 2007-06-14 11:57 pm (UTC)