A lot of animals prefer to give birth in springs, so there are less of type of animals born in winter. Prefer? Yes, these animals have adapted so much that they start to have cubs in the springs. It’s most preferable condition, though. Spring has warm weather, but not too hot, just enough warm so the cubs will feel comfortable.
Most of these babies were born helpless, so the optimum temperature surrounds them is very important. Besides that, the mother will also find food easily in the spring time. It can really smooth things up for both of them. And if the house pets, like hamster for instance, can get assistance when giving birth, they don’t, so of course they will be more adaptable with their surroundings.
Meanwhile, winter can be said the worst season to give birth to babies. The food supplies become rare. Since it’s rare, the predators might be more aggressive in hunting anything that they can. And, simply the temperature itself is the worst, extremely and unavoidable coldness is very dangerous for the babies who haven’t had their self-defense yet.
However, there are few animals that still have the courage to give birth to babies in winter. Moreover, they do a very great job to take care their babies and keep them safe during winter. Curious? Let’s check these 3 types of animals that were born in winter time.
1. Bears
Here’s a fun fact about bears. Since bears need to hibernate during winter, female bears cannot afford to get pregnant while they don’t eat enough food to survive winter. So, their body can actually control the pregnancy. While they are mating around June-July, the fertilized eggs don’t attach to the uterus until late autumn. This gestation period takes time around 194-278 days. What an understanding body!
Despite hibernation, mother bears can still give birth to fat baby bears. During this time, mother bears’ body will still produce breast milk the babies need. Since they just became a mom, they will wake up every little bit to take care the babies.
Mother bears have much dedication in nurturing their babies. They are very affectionate, protective, devoted, strict, sensitive and attentive toward their cubs. They may keep their cubs until second or even third years, depend upon the food abundance. However, when they finally must separate, it’s quite heartbreaking.
The cubs will whine and whimper in despair and confusion. The mother will keep rejecting them whenever they are trying to come back to the mother’s side. That’s why the siblings will stay together after their separation with their mother. I can imagine they cut all the frenemies behavior they did while they’re still with their mother and become solid together.
However, in the animal’s world, separation is very important to let the cubs become independent and strong. After many lessons they’ve got from their mother, these cubs are ready to have their own journey throughout the world!
2. Badgers
Badgers are one of the 3 types of animals born in winter. This is on purpose, though. When the baby badgers were just born, they are practically helpless. Their mother will take care of them during winter. So, in the long run, when the spring time comes, the cubs will have enough strength on their own, around April or May, they will start to hunt for food so they can prepare their first winter.
The unique thing about badgers are their reproductive process. When they just mate, the female badgers will grow blastocyst, the tiny ball of cells that eventually will become embryo. Instead become embryo, the badgers will delay the blastocyst to implant. Until they are ready to get pregnant.
The more fascinating fact about badgers’ reproduction is while the female already carried the blastocyst from her mate, she can mate again with the different male badger. Thus, her body will create another blastocyst. In the end, she will still give birth the litters of different ovulation at the same time. This condition is called superfetation.
3. Eastern Grey Squirrels
Squirrel is quite easy to reproduce. Moreover, in certain areas, they become pests, sometimes they can disturb citizen housing, too. No wonder, people try to catch these squirrels with many ways. Some use traps, some use pest control service.
The mating process of squirrels happen 5 days before estrus. Estrus is a recurring period of sexual receptivity and fertility in female mammals. In short, animals in heat. By then, the male squirrels will keep following the females, and sometimes, the males need to fight with other males to get females’ attention.
The mating season is quite adventurous, though. Since the female scent is really strong, the male usually can recognize it right away and they will chase her down. I mean, in the very high race mode on tree, because this squirrels are not a ground squirrels. Of course, other male squirrels will also smell the scent and chase her at the same time. The result is they will chase off each other and fight for the female.
Of course, the female will choose the winner. When they were just born, squirrel babies completely naked, except for vibrissae. Vibrissae is small hairs around nose and mouth that are used to touch. It’s kinda similar with whiskers in cats. Usually, squirrels give birth to babies twice a year. Every breeding, squirrels can produce 2-8 babies.