View source for Nursing Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology


* Standing – cow, ewe, goat, mare
* Recumbant (lateral) – sow, bitch, queen
* Multiple young soon develop [[Mammary Gland - Anatomy & Physiology|teat]] order.
** Before this they will compete for [[Mammary Gland - Anatomy & Physiology|teats]].
* ‘Maternal bonding’ - critical timing influences chance of fostering.
* Head butting (‘tap’ reflex) especially in sheep.  Lambs nudge the udder to initiate the [[Lactation_-_Endocrine_Control_- Anatomy & Physiology|milk let-down reflex]].
* Nursing persists for variable times, up to 2 years in horses and ends when offspring are weaned.
* Retrieval behaviour in small animals.
** Will search and retrieve their young and can tell if the full litter is present.
* Aggression and defensive behaviour in many species.


[[Category:Reproductive Behaviour]]
[[Category:Bullet Points]]