5 Adorable Baby Animals And Their Mothers

It's easy to remember how important a mom is in your life when you see cubs sticking very close to their mama in these cute photos of adorable baby animals and their mothers. Learn more about how these animal moms teach their wild babies how to survive in the animal kingdom.

A Queen Of The Animal Kingdom With Her Cubs

Take a look at this incredible photo of an elegant and graceful cheetah mom as she relaxes on the field with two of her young. Called “queens”, these wonderful mothers usually deliver three or five cubs at a time.

Interestingly enough, baby cheetahs are developed relatively fast, with a gestation period of only about three months. No wonder they’re so enchantingly tiny!

These cubs are utterly dependent on their mother for the first few weeks of their lives. Fortunately, cheetahs aren’t just fast runners. They’re quick growers too. The mom only has to nurse her cubs between six to eight weeks, and by the time they’re three months old, they can already walk and run steadily on their own.

The queen is in charge of teaching her children how to hunt. She also has to show them how to spot danger and navigate the dangerous environment that is their home.

Acting as both provider and protector, this mama cheetah moves her darling cubs from one den site to another to keep a step ahead of danger. Only when the cubs reach eighteen months of age can they live independently as solitary animals.

Little Joey Pops Out Of Mommy's Pouch

Can you spot the cute joey in this picture? These creatures are known for being marsupials, giving birth to underdeveloped young. They’re actually about the size of a jellybean when they’re born.

How do the babies survive, you wonder? Adaption, of course! Mother kangaroos have developed their trademark pouch, where they keep their little babies safe and sound.

This pocket is complete with all the basic needs of a growing joey. It comes with food, insulation, and shelter from harsh weather. It’s definitely the comfiest place to be for these little babies.

After about a few months of just drinking milk and chilling, the joey starts peeking out of his mom to explore the world outside. He’s still welcome to return to his mom when he’s scared, though.

Once he’s grown and learned enough skills from his mom, the young joey is finally ready to face life alone. The lessons range from basic survival know-how to complex socialization skills with fellow kangaroos.

Still not impressed with these fantastic mothers? The entire process takes about eighteen months to finish, but by the time it does, they probably already have another joey in their pouch.

We cheer for you, mommy kangaroo!

Lemurs Make Awesome Moms

Do these look familiar to you? That’s because you’ve probably seen them in the movie ‘Madagascar.’ These creatures are endemic to this region and have some fascinating facts about raising their young.

A mommy lemur will give birth to either a single offspring or twins, depending on the species. These babies are often tiny and will have their eyes closed upon delivery.

Due to the limitations of their size, lemurs weren’t able to develop the same pouch that kangaroos had for their young. It definitely would have made motherhood easier for these beings.

As it is, they must carry their youngling around in their mouth for the first few days until the babies are strong enough to cling to her fur.

The mama lemur nurses her baby for several months until they can eat solid foods. However, nursing continues for some time until they’re fully weaned.

Protective Mama Sheep

You may be surprised, but sheep actually make good mothers. Also called a ewe, these females often give birth to either one or more lambs, and they usually time it in the spring for better survivability.

Unlike other animals on the list, the baby lamb can usually stand and walk in just a few hours after being born. They’re also already equipped with a thick coat of wool. Talk about being born prepared, right?

Bonding is another vital part of rearing a young lamb. The ewe will have to start this process right after birth by licking her baby clean and interacting with them.

The ewe will have to nurse her baby for the first few months of its life until it can start to nibble on grass and hay. The ewe protects her babies during this period in their lives. She can even sleep standing up to keep watch over them.

Don’t let her docile demeanor fool you because ewes are just as protective of their young as any wild animal!

Elephant, Mother And Teacher In One

Elephants may seem slow because of their size, but they’re certainly not stupid. Mothers, in particular, have to be particularly strategic when raising their young.

A mother elephant is also called a cow. Their babies are hefty, weighing about 120 kg upon birth. Thankfully, they only have to give birth to them one at a time.

The calf can stand and walk on its own in a few hours, but that doesn’t reduce his mother’s protectiveness one bit. The mother elephant will spend a lot of her time touching and caressing the baby with her trunk, as well as nourishing him with her milk.

The mother elephant uses her prodigious size and strength to ward off any possible predators. She stays by her calf 24/7. It also helps her teach the calf the basics of surviving in the animal kingdom.

Even when they’re fully grown, a kid elephant will usually stay with its mother and other family members for years. This heart-warming practice ensures not just their personal safety but the entire herd as well.

Support Baby Animals And Their Mothers

As touching as the scenes are in these photos, the horrible truth is that each of them faces great danger to their lives because of climate change. Criminal practices such as poaching also contribute to the decimation of their population.

Contribute to the survival of these species by staying informed and being vocal. You can also check out some of our amazing rescue shirts to help motivate the fight for these adorable animals. We ensure that a fourth of the proceeds are donated to no-kill animal shelters.

FAQ

How does a baby animal bond with its mother?

Bonding between animals varies depending on the species, with some not even requiring it at all. It's usually done right after birth as a survival mechanism to increase the bond between mothers and babies.

Do animal moms love their babies?

While animals may not get to experience love the same way we humans do, it's clear from the images above that affection and familial ties are very real things, even among wild animals.

What are some books about baby animals and their mothers?

There are a variety of children's books that offer excellent information regarding this subject. One of them, titled "A Mother's Journey," is an incredible depiction of a mother emperor penguin and the tribulations she faced to keep her family alive.