Which animals stay with their parents the longest?

African elephant calves, particularly females, spend their entire lives with their mothers, highlighting a deep familial bond that enhances survival.

[{"selector":"#anim-9d5c5335-52a7-436d-bc35-1e4d4b805fc3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-00090bd5-4b40-4b90-aea3-1c584ca1fcf2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-00c9d2bb-4e2a-4239-aac0-ba5ea7285abe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cd6f374-c15a-4e5e-b9d7-9b015363b981","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -873.25769%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Lionesses support their cubs for over a year, teaching vital survival skills, which cement the foundational roles females play in their pride.

[{"selector":"#anim-19fc82ae-2d6a-4ea3-b949-990aab333303","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dac6ddf0-99d4-45b0-9f54-b4459b32fcc3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-612c9c4b-6e30-4ca3-9afe-21eba0c179db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-155dd344-a6c7-499b-a176-bf2ffbfcaac1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -873.25769%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Orcas maintain lifelong family ties in their pods, with females never leaving their mothers, showcasing their unique social structure.

[{"selector":"#anim-932da91a-3e2a-420e-8dde-abc7c45cc20b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28cb121d-308c-4338-9acb-a9fe3fed299a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5fe6d836-f055-4241-a653-6ddf93238428","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b22526e8-d19c-4b71-a7eb-770896f9ad22","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -881.73224%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Orangutan mothers nurture their young for years, with offspring returning frequently till they fully mature, illustrating intense parental dedication.

[{"selector":"#anim-91f5ebcf-6d08-46d0-bb78-1af0e669d82e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d709be2-cdec-4d80-a91e-c8a9b6ac16cc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a4740df-541e-435f-b768-572dc7aa4a28","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5843d61d-a5d4-4044-a8a7-80fc8c008c1f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -874.95258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Polar bear mothers teach their cubs to thrive in harsh Arctic conditions over 2.5 years, demonstrating intense maternal investment.

[{"selector":"#anim-ee13f334-ed80-44c0-af01-cce4b91816cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d843266d-e303-46a3-bef9-f0df72bac245","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a214b83-c550-4f0a-9c15-cb6dce5b3b80","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1da47d1a-969c-4c9c-8f3a-52492114d4be","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -869.8678%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Alligator mothers exhibit extraordinary care, transporting their young to water to ensure safety from predators during their early life stages.

[{"selector":"#anim-99c5b758-6ba0-4419-bc3c-2d7b5aecc955","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6233e0cd-fb47-47db-94f8-34c58c2295e4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58a1321e-ff13-4e49-847a-3965738ac676","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd0e2ae3-de88-40fb-8744-2b0662ad557c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -881.73224%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Chimpanzees remain close with their mothers well into adulthood, highlighting the long-lasting bonds and emotional depth of their relationships.

[{"selector":"#anim-fc1d8f92-44d3-4324-98e0-b92a5cf55dcc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-780ae117-3146-41fe-927f-74b0e90d2628","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46117e1a-117f-456f-8c49-2fb996c9084f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a2bf973b-519c-4e08-8242-1efa1ca9cbc4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -873.25769%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Dolphin calves stay by their mothers' sides for up to six years, fostering a strong bond crucial for their development and survival in the ocean.

[{"selector":"#anim-3e5ab321-1eeb-4111-9b5b-29d7f013ae22","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-862ebc01-7fee-49bf-8728-62b316b7af87","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a2b19bc-abe1-4956-bb0a-c7dc4be8aa3e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0cc6c304-30c6-4596-8a78-46bcb8ad99de","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -880.03735%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Grey Kangaroo joeys spend a significant part of their youth in maternal care, transitioning from the pouch to independence over a year.

[{"selector":"#anim-b66b2cf5-ea4d-4372-be44-f923d46d7233","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b61e33b3-78d1-4ea2-a232-851498da1b61","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 136.95988%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21739874-4cfa-4db7-94be-f1b0002cb957","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b2284a8-4872-4310-98a2-254930532569","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -885.12202%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Other stories

[{"selector":"#anim-828275f1-5913-459e-8e13-95ad3ee28f89","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45eaa337-791b-4836-82f1-ec4b708d9fc3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90d0df1c-ea6d-4b4f-b097-cc6c4595107d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-86c98543-1fe6-4412-9ce7-266ad586910d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-140.83333%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-82d6f4a4-e082-4897-8c84-5c3e9844e9b7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-92d5dbcf-5e27-4c37-b5e6-020a227f6a9a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-138.13559%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6f93dae1-8c40-449a-b4c7-cab6124a64e4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e2bea4c-f85c-4642-add0-ff247b688ee1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8538061f-ddd4-465f-b063-d28e708c706c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-293.33336%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7268605-90bb-4ddf-8537-1bbc370d888f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89942327-b5fe-4240-a958-b9b5448b2de7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee9b625f-f200-43ef-89df-c58921c945a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63b4b2ca-5a0b-4bd9-9231-af84b2953e47","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(154.16668%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ff3436c3-6494-48c3-b107-bc2e0d3dc6d5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":400,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9e99151-a912-4b1c-82e5-bd9ed40e5f2b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0566e7f8-b2f3-40b3-831c-6e5c4ee45747","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-289.1667%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d33cfe79-a076-4404-b3bb-95b64c49bdae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b739cc72-74a3-476e-8a87-2b68e27999de","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-147.86729%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":50,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] See More See More Read Next Story

Which animals stay with their parents the longest?

Which animals stay with their parents the longest?

animals

animals

African elephant calves, particularly females, spend their entire lives with their mothers, highlighting a deep familial bond that enhances survival.

African Elephants

African Elephants

Lionesses support their cubs for over a year, teaching vital survival skills, which cement the foundational roles females play in their pride.

African Lions

African Lions

Orcas maintain lifelong family ties in their pods, with females never leaving their mothers, showcasing their unique social structure.

Orca

Orca

Orangutan mothers nurture their young for years, with offspring returning frequently till they fully mature, illustrating intense parental dedication.

Orangutans

Orangutans

Polar bear mothers teach their cubs to thrive in harsh Arctic conditions over 2.5 years, demonstrating intense maternal investment.

Polar Bears

Polar Bears

Alligator mothers exhibit extraordinary care, transporting their young to water to ensure safety from predators during their early life stages.

Alligators

Alligators

Chimpanzees remain close with their mothers well into adulthood, highlighting the long-lasting bonds and emotional depth of their relationships.

Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees

Dolphin calves stay by their mothers' sides for up to six years, fostering a strong bond crucial for their development and survival in the ocean.

Dolphins

Dolphins

Grey Kangaroo joeys spend a significant part of their youth in maternal care, transitioning from the pouch to independence over a year.

Grey Kangaroos

Grey Kangaroos

Other stories

View All

World’s Most powerful Passports: Henley ...

This fact about Dugong you may have never knew!