So I was watching Night on Earth on Netflix and wondered: how is it that polar bears (and other mammals like elephants and lions) know when to leave their mother?
In: Biology
In a lot of species the parent gives them a subtle nudge, and then progressively less subtle nudges – including literally nudging them out of the nest.
Carnivores have been known to actively drive their young out of the territory, as they are ultimately competing for food.
More gregarious species like pidgeons or buffalo may never leave the herd, but the parents will stop feeding them when it’s time.
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