What you think? Does that over millennia yet hardwired in genetic code explain The Cosa Nostra over the ANC?
Yes, cow and antelope herds feed their babies differently, largely due to their evolutionary strategies for predator avoidance ("hider" vs. "follower" strategies). While both are ruminants and feed their calves milk, the frequency, behavior, and social structure surrounding feeding differ significantly.
Cow Herd Calf Feeding Behavior
Follower Strategy: Cow calves (and many antelope like wildebeest) are "followers."
They join the herd within days of birth, often sticking close to their mother's side and
grazing with the herd.
Constant Access: Calves have frequent access to their mothers for nursing throughout
Constant Access: Calves have frequent access to their mothers for nursing throughout
the day.
Socialized Rearing: Other cows in the herd may help watch over calves in small,
Socialized Rearing: Other cows in the herd may help watch over calves in small,
loosely formed nursery groups while the mothers forage, providing group defense.
Antelope Herd Calf Feeding Behavior
Hider Strategy: Many antelope species (like impala, nilgai) are "hiders." Mothers hide
Antelope Herd Calf Feeding Behavior
Hider Strategy: Many antelope species (like impala, nilgai) are "hiders." Mothers hide
their young in thick vegetation to protect them from predators.
Infrequent Nursing: Mother antelopes return to their hidden calves only a few times a
day to feed them, minimizing the time they spend with the vulnerable young.
Independence: The calf remains hidden and quiet, only moving when the mother
Independence: The calf remains hidden and quiet, only moving when the mother
returns or to find a new hiding spot.
Alternative Socializing: In some species, after the initial hiding period, mothers with
Alternative Socializing: In some species, after the initial hiding period, mothers with
calves of similar age form "nursery groups," but this is generally after a period of
isolated hiding.
Key Differences in Feeding
Environmental Danger: Antelopes tend to have higher predation risks, requiring the
Key Differences in Feeding
Environmental Danger: Antelopes tend to have higher predation risks, requiring the
"hide-and-seek" feeding method, whereas cattle are often protected in herds.
Milk Demand: Because antelope calves are often hidden and left alone, they may have
Milk Demand: Because antelope calves are often hidden and left alone, they may have
evolved to consume larger, more nutrient-dense, or higher-fat milk in fewer, sporadic,
"long-gap" feedings compared to the more frequent feeding of domesticated cow calves.
Dependency: Both types of babies are highly dependent on colostrum and mother's
Dependency: Both types of babies are highly dependent on colostrum and mother's
milk in the first few months because their digestive systems are not yet developed
enough to process solid food,
Summary Table
Feature Cow (Follower) Antelope (Hider)
Strategy Follower (Stays with mother/herd) Hider (Concealed from predators)
Nursing Frequency Frequent, throughout the day Infrequent (few times/day)
Calf Location With herd/mother Alone in hiding
Social Structure Constant herd interaction Mother-calf isolation for weeks
Feature Cow (Follower) Antelope (Hider)
Strategy Follower (Stays with mother/herd) Hider (Concealed from predators)
Nursing Frequency Frequent, throughout the day Infrequent (few times/day)
Calf Location With herd/mother Alone in hiding
Social Structure Constant herd interaction Mother-calf isolation for weeks
Do they fight over the tits?
While calves don't usually "fight" in the sense of a brawl, they definitely compete, and the "rules" of the game differ between cow and antelope herds.
1. Cows: The "Sneaky Stealers"
Since cow herds stay together, there is a lot of opportunity for "milk stealing" (allosuckling).
Milk Stealing: Calves often try to suckle from cows that aren't their mothers. They
While calves don't usually "fight" in the sense of a brawl, they definitely compete, and the "rules" of the game differ between cow and antelope herds.
1. Cows: The "Sneaky Stealers"
Since cow herds stay together, there is a lot of opportunity for "milk stealing" (allosuckling).
Milk Stealing: Calves often try to suckle from cows that aren't their mothers. They
usually try to sneak in from behind while the cow’s own calf is busy nursing from the
front to avoid being recognized by smell.
The Mother's Reaction: Most cows are protective and will kick or chase away any
The Mother's Reaction: Most cows are protective and will kick or chase away any
"alien" calf that tries to nurse. However, some "foster" cows are more relaxed and may
end up feeding multiple calves at once.
Rough Stimulation: Calves vigorously headbutt the mother's udder (called "bunting").
Rough Stimulation: Calves vigorously headbutt the mother's udder (called "bunting").
It looks violent, but it's actually a physical signal to the mother's brain to release
oxytocin and "let down" the milk.
2. Antelopes: The "Private Diners"
2. Antelopes: The "Private Diners"
Because many antelopes are "hiders," there is far less competition between babies.
Zero Sibling Rivalry: Most antelope species give birth to only one calf at a time, and
Zero Sibling Rivalry: Most antelope species give birth to only one calf at a time, and
because they are hidden away in isolation, there aren't other babies around to
compete for the teats.
Strict Monogamy (Nursing): Antelope mothers are much stricter about only feeding
Strict Monogamy (Nursing): Antelope mothers are much stricter about only feeding
their own offspring. Since nursing happens in short, infrequent bursts to avoid
predators, there is no "buffet" for other calves to join.
3. Do they actually "fight" each other?
Cow Calves: You might see two calves pushing or shoving if they are both trying to get
3. Do they actually "fight" each other?
Cow Calves: You might see two calves pushing or shoving if they are both trying to get
to the same cow, but it’s usually more of a playful competition than a real fight.
Adult Rivalry: Real fighting is usually reserved for the adults. Bulls and male antelopes
Adult Rivalry: Real fighting is usually reserved for the adults. Bulls and male antelopes
will lock horns and fight ferociously over territory or access to females, but not over
milk.
Fun Fact: In some dairy herds, calves develop a habit called "cross-sucking" where they suck on the ears or navels of other calves because their instinct to suckle isn't fully satisfied by their fast milk meals
Fun Fact: In some dairy herds, calves develop a habit called "cross-sucking" where they suck on the ears or navels of other calves because their instinct to suckle isn't fully satisfied by their fast milk meals
How do Wulfs and Lions compare?
While wolves and lions are both highly social apex predators, their strategies for raising and feeding their young are fundamentally different, particularly regarding how they handle transitions in power and communal nursing.
1. Nursing and Social Feeding
Both species use communal strategies but in opposite ways:
Lions (Communal Nursing): Lionesses in a pride often give birth around the same time
While wolves and lions are both highly social apex predators, their strategies for raising and feeding their young are fundamentally different, particularly regarding how they handle transitions in power and communal nursing.
1. Nursing and Social Feeding
Both species use communal strategies but in opposite ways:
Lions (Communal Nursing): Lionesses in a pride often give birth around the same time
and form a crèche (nursery). Cubs will suckle from any lactating female in the pride,
not just their mother. Because of this "open buffet" style, lion cubs are known to fight
and be noisy as they compete for the best teats among several mothers.
Wolves (Regurgitation): While only the "alpha" pair typically breeds, the entire pack
helps feed the pups. After weaning (around 1 month), adults regurgitate semi-digested
meat—and occasionally even berries—for the pups to eat. This reduces direct
competition at a single milk source.
2. Leadership Changes and Survival
The most stark difference occurs when a new leader takes over the group:
Lions (Infanticide): When a new male coalition takes over a pride, they typically kill all
2. Leadership Changes and Survival
The most stark difference occurs when a new leader takes over the group:
Lions (Infanticide): When a new male coalition takes over a pride, they typically kill all
existing cubs. This "resets" the females' reproductive cycles so the new males can
father their own offspring immediately.
Wolves (Adoption): Wolves prioritize pack strength over genetic ego. When leadership
shifts, new alphas often adopt and raise the previous leader's pups. Because female
wolves only breed once a year, killing pups offers no reproductive advantage, whereas
more pups mean a stronger hunting unit in the future.
Key Comparison Summary
Feature Lions
Key Comparison Summary
Feature Lions
Wolves
Nursing Style Crèche (nursing from any female)
Nursing Style Crèche (nursing from any female)
Strictly from mother (with pack support)
Solid Food Scraps from the pride's kill
Solid Food Scraps from the pride's kill
Regurgitated meat from all pack members
Power Shifts New males kill existing cubs
Power Shifts New males kill existing cubs
New alphas often adopt existing pups
Group Goal Genetic legacy of the lead male
Group Goal Genetic legacy of the lead male
Total pack numbers and cooperation
#freudhoweverreadyou
