Life Cycle
8 questions tagged Life Cycle — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
Why do caterpillars grow so fast before becoming butterflies or moths?
Caterpillars are built to eat and store energy for metamorphosis. They must grow rapidly because the larval stage is temporary.
Why do cicadas emerge in huge numbers after years underground?
Some cicadas spend most of their lives underground feeding on roots, then emerge all at once to mate. Synchronized emergence helps overwhelm predators.
What is altricial development in birds?
Altricial birds hatch helpless, usually blind and featherless, and need extensive parental care. Songbirds and raptors are common examples.
What is precocial development in birds?
Precocial birds hatch well developed, with open eyes and the ability to walk or swim soon after birth. Ducks, chickens, and many shorebirds are examples.
What is a nestling in birds?
A nestling is a young bird that is still too undeveloped to leave the nest. It depends on its parents for warmth and food.
What is a fledgling in birds?
A fledgling is a young bird that has left the nest but is still learning to fly and survive on its own. It is often fed by its parents for a period after leaving the nest.
Where do penguins molt their feathers each year?
Penguins molt on land or ice near their breeding areas, depending on the species. During this time, they cannot swim and must stay ashore until the new feathers grow in.
How do cicadas stay underground for so many years before emerging?
Some periodical cicadas spend 13 or 17 years underground as nymphs, feeding on plant root fluids before they emerge almost at once. Their synchronized life cycle helps them overwhelm predators.