Cute moment with a capybara family and a bird observing a lizard crossing their path© Marcel_Strelow/Shutterstock.comThe animal kingdom reflects our own society in many ways, especially in how animals nurture their young. Similar to how humans rely on babysitters, grandparents, and friends to care for their children, animals also participate in caring for young ones that are not their own. This behavior, known as alloparenting, is practiced by many species for various reasons such as survival, efficiency, and bonding within the group. What is Alloparenting?If you’ve ever heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” then you are already familiar with alloparenting. An alloparent is officially defined as “an individual other than the biological parent of an offspring who performs parental duties.” Alloparenting is observed in a wide range of animals, including primates, fish, and birds. Studies have identified alloparenting in over 120 mammalian species and 150 avian species. Here are a few examples:PrimatesCapuchin monkeys engage in allonursing, where females may feed infants that are not their own. In the wild, capuchins travel together with all the young in the center of the group for protection while the females forage. If a mother is delayed in returning, a capuchin infant might seek another female for nursing. A study on capuchins revealed that females commonly nursed infants that were not their biological offspring, although not all females exhibited this behavior.White-faced capuchin monkeys also participate in allonursing, allowing females to care for infants collectively while foraging.Ring-tailed lemurs display alloparenting behaviors, with individuals of various ages and both sexes assisting in caring for the young, giving mothers a break.Vervet monkeys practice alloparenting to conserve the mother’s energy and time, as well as to provide young alloparents with maternal experience before they become parents themselves.Macaques, including Barbary macaques, engage in alloparenting to socialize the young and maintain social bonds.Francois’ langurs alloparent to enable mothers to forage while their young are cared for, and to enhance social cohesion within the group.Other MammalsLionesses in a pride protect the cubs from predators, including aggressive males.Capybaras, like capuchin monkeys, participate in allonursing, with studies showing that female capybaras frequently nurse all young in their group, regardless of biological relation.Lions also exhibit allonursing behaviors, with lionesses in a pride coordinating births and caring for each other’s cubs, working together to protect the young from threats.African elephants act as allomothers, additional caregivers for calves aside from their biological mothers, often being young female relatives.FishMale clownfish are known to care for and raise eggs even if they are not related to them.Fish species also display alloparent
Research has shown that male clownfish can care for eggs even when biological parents are absent, regardless of paternity or kinship. Cichlids are another example of a species that practices alloparenting. In this case, subordinate females care for the offspring of a dominant pair in order to learn how to care for young. Studies indicate that subordinate female cichlids providing alloparental care are more likely to achieve reproductive success.
Flamingos are an example of animals that may engage in alloparenting in pairs. Both male-male and female-female flamingo pairs have been observed providing parental care similar to that of male-female pairs, successfully raising young by adopting abandoned eggs or chicks. Similarly, the Greater Ani, a member of the cuckoo family, builds large nests shared by up to four breeding pairs, all of whom incubate and raise the chicks together. Older offspring in these scenarios often assist with caring for younger chicks.
However, not all instances of alloparenting are beneficial. Brood parasites, such as the Asian koel, can deceive or intimidate host birds into caring for their young. Asian koels infest other birds’ nests to lay their eggs, leading the host bird to raise the koel’s chicks alongside its own. In some cases, brood parasites may use aggression to compel host parents to care for their chicks.
Despite these challenges, most instances of alloparenting in the wild appear to be mutually beneficial for both the alloparent and the biological parent. Just like in human societies, raising young animals often requires a communal effort.
