Author Description

Mothers and babies. Babies and mothers. They are everywhere-in caves, burrows, dens, rivers, fields, treetops, oceans, and houses. All over the world, in all kinds of habitats, mothers bring forth new life. For most animals, such as amphibians and reptiles, mothering responsibilities end before the babies are even born. But mammal babies need their mothers--they need to be nurtured and nourished long enough to learn how to survive on their own. All mammal mothers feed, protect, and teach their young--tasks that often challenge their own needs for survival. All mammal babies must learn how to feed and protect themselves. Depending on whether the baby is a bear or a bat, a shrew or seal, a koala or a kid, the journey to maturity varies dramatically. This fascinating introduction to the world of mammals reveals how fourteen mammal babies travel the path from helpless infants to self-sufficient adults. As the book explores the many ways baby animals grow, the reader develops a keen sense of what makes mammals special. Activity guide available at PlatypusMedia.com.