#precocial

Original photo credit: Pygmy Falcon chick at the San Antonio Zoo

Here’s how it works: with the help of higher humidity (about 70% is optimal) the shell softens which allows the chick to “pip” or peck a hole through the shell wall. It then uses it’s “egg tooth” to slowly cut a line around the top 1/3 of the egg, turning inside the egg as it goes. It’s a lot of work and the chick naps and takes breaks as needed. Once it cuts the full circumference of the egg, it pops off the top and crawls out. This can take several hours to a couple of days, depending on many factors. By then the chick has absorbed the yolk and the umbilical cord which is attached to the membrane lining the shell, dries out and drops off. The chick then dries off and fluffs out — it needs heat, food and water to survive, but it’s mostly precocial - not especially reliant on a parent to survive.

Pregnant Guinea Pig. Guinea Pigs are born precocial which means they pretty much walk out of their mothers ready to go. They are able to eat whole food, their eyes and ears are open, and they are fully furred! Guinea Pig gestation is anywhere from 59-72 days, which is a crazy length of time for a rodent to be pregnant. How many skeletons can you find?

Spotted some little blackbirds on their first day out! 🖤 #spring #springtime #precocial #nestflüchter #nest #bird #vogel #birds #vögel #blackbird #amsel #augsburg #augsburgcity (hier: Augsburg, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0H0UZoBF8/?igshid=1rg6c1subtt5z

adj. Covered with down and capable of moving about when hatched. Used of wading birds and domestic fowl.

“ Babies that need a lot of care are called altricial babies, and animals that are born more developed are called precocial. “