Mothers are considered the backbone of any family. They are the ones who sacrifice their own needs and desires for the betterment of their children. Similarly, mothers of the animal kingdom are no different when it comes to protecting and nurturing their offspring. The incredible sacrifices made by these mothers are truly remarkable and deserve our admiration and respect.
Let’s start with the African elephant, which is the largest land animal in the world. Female elephants are known for their strong maternal instincts towards their young ones. They carry their young ones for 22 months in their belly, which is almost two years, and endure a lot of pain during childbirth. After giving birth, they take great care of their young ones and provide them with the warmth and nourishment they need to grow.
Similarly, female lions, commonly known as lionesses, are also known for their great motherly instinct. They protect their young ones from predators and teach them how to hunt prey, which is helpful when it comes to survival. They too make great sacrifices in raising and nurturing their young ones.
One of the most incredible sacrifices made by mothers of the animal kingdom is that of the Emperor Penguin. The female penguin lays a single egg and gives it to the male penguin for incubation while she goes out to hunt and bring back food. The male penguin carries the egg on his feet, keeping it warm by balancing it on his feet, as the temperature outside rages below -40°C. During this time, he is unable to hunt for food and hence faces starvation. When the female penguin comes back, she takes over the care of the young one while the male goes out in search of food.
However, the emperor penguins are not the only creatures in the animal kingdom who demonstrate such sacrifices. The female octopus, too, is an excellent example of a mother dedicated to the well-being of her offspring. Once the eggs are laid, she keeps vigil until hatching. During this time, the mother octopus guards her young ones and never loses sight of the eggs. She even stops eating and spends most of her time protecting the eggs and keeping them warm enough for proper incubation.
Kangaroos are also known to protect their young ones from danger. The mother kangaroo carries her new-born, known as a “joey”, in her pouch for about eight months, where the joey develops into a fully grown kangaroo. The mother kangaroo takes care of the young one for up to a year or more, teaching it how to forage for food and protect itself from predators.
Whales, too, are devoted mothers who make great sacrifices for their young ones. During migration, they carry their young ones on their back, keeping their breathing tubes out of the water till they reach the breeding grounds. The nursing of their young ones demands a lot of their energy, and they are known to lose up to one-third of their body weight during the nursing period.
In conclusion, mothers of the animal kingdom make incredible sacrifices for their young ones. From protecting them from predators to providing them with nourishment and warmth, they provide the care and love necessary to ensure their survival. Such sacrifices are essential in the cycle of life and help sustain the earth’s ecosystem. These mothers are truly remarkable and must be appreciated for their unconditional love and sacrifices.
