Animals in Britain care for their young in remarkable ways, doing whatever it takes to ensure survival in often unpredictable environments.
From tiny hedgehogs stumbling out of their nests to wobbly deer fawns finding their feet in the woods, the first steps of new life in the wild are both vulnerable and captivating.
From attentive badger mothers to protective grey seals and watchful red squirrels, every species has its own approach to parenting. Though strategies differ, the aim is always the same – to pass on the resilience and skills needed to thrive in the wild.
- Adorable and heartwarming: 15 animal mother-and-baby photos that could be any parent with their child
- Muddy baby elephants, adorable tumbling penguins and otter cuddles: These cute baby animal videos will melt your heart
- From a timid polar bear to a snoozing capybara – 20 adorable baby animals captured on camera
Unlike human infants, young animals in the UK must adapt quickly to survive the elements. Parental care may involve food, shelter, grooming, protection, and essential lessons in foraging or avoiding predators.
Some animals, like puffins, show dedication by returning year after year to the same burrow to rear their single chick. Others, such as certain birds, are less nurturing – cuckoos famously abandon their eggs in the nests of other species, leaving unsuspecting foster parents to raise their chicks.
Discover more animal cuteness:
