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Human babies are born without being able to walk, crawl, or even sit
up. With car seats, strollers, and the like, it’s not much of a
problem. Some animals also need help when they’re born -- but their
parents don’t exactly have cribs or baby carriages. What’s a creature
to do?
Stay Put
Many animals - like rodents, rabbits, and birds -- are born blind and
defenseless. Their parents keep them tucked away in a cozy nest until
they are old enough to fend for themselves. To keep them safe from
predators, these babies’ homes are usually underground or high in
trees.
Make Yourself at Home
 Some mammals have built-in “nests”. The pouches of kangaroos, koalas,
opossums and other marsupials are tailor made for toting babies
around. Marsupial babies squirm to their mother’s sacs when they are
the size of a jellybean. There they stay safe and snug until they are
ready to start exploring the world. Even then, joeys (as all young
marsupials are called) will spend months coming back to their mother’s
pouch for rest or safety.
Open Wide
Some critters carry their babies around in a place other animals
desperately avoid -- inside their mouths! Hatchling crocs and gators
can head straight for momma’s jaws at the first sign of danger. The
mothers -- or sometimes dads -- of some species of fish also keep
their eggs and fry (babies) in their mouth, even if it means they
don’t get to eat for weeks.
Hop On
Pigs don’t actually go on piggie-back rides, but plenty of other
animals do. Ducklings will take a break from swimming by climbing on
their mother’s back. Even spiderlings sometimes ride on mom. Many
monkey and ape babies are pros at clinging on, first to their mother’s
belly and then on her back. Tiny chimps can hang on even while mom is
swinging through the trees.
You’re On Your Own, Kid
 Most animals -- from butterflies to mountain goats to turtles -- never
carry their children around. They don’t have to. Their babies can
walk, wriggle, climb, or swim within minutes or hours of being born.
Often, the newborns’ lives depend on it. Born out in the open, they
can be easy prey -- but they’d definitely be lunch if they laid around
like your mom’s meatloaf.
Whether their parents are hands-off or literally hands on, all animal
babies need a chance at survival. Fortunately for them, there are
plenty of ways to get the job done -- even without that stroller.
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