eli5: why do human babies take so long to mature and develop whilst most animal babies can do things on their own very shortly after birth?
In: Biology
Some animals have lots and lots of babies all at once, while others have just a few but take really good care of them. These two ways of raising young are called different life strategies.
The first strategy is used by animals like frogs and flies. These animals have a lot of babies at one time because they know that many of them won’t survive. For example, a frog will lay hundreds of eggs in a pond, and many tadpoles will be eaten by bigger animals. But, because there are so many, some will grow up into frogs. These animals don’t take care of their babies after they are born—they just lay the eggs and hope for the best. They usually grow up quickly and don’t live very long. This way of raising babies is all about having lots of young at once, knowing that only some will make it.
The second strategy is different. Animals like elephants and humans have fewer babies, but they take really good care of them. An elephant might only have one baby at a time, and that baby stays with its mother for a long time, learning how to find food and stay safe. Humans do the same thing, putting a lot of effort into making sure their children grow up healthy and safe. Animals that use this strategy usually grow more slowly and live longer lives. This way is all about focusing on just a few babies and making sure each one has the best chance to grow up well.
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