GROWING UP WILD

Meet the world’s wildest parents and beastliest brothers and sisters, as we find out what family means in the animal kingdom.

Do you sometimes think your family is pretty weird? Well, whatever odd things your folks do, it’s nothing compared to the strange things animals get up to. Human families come in all shapes and sizes, with different personalities, quirks and traditions that make them unique – and it’s no different for wildlife. From small spiders to mighty mammals, animal families are as diverse as the species themselves. Some beasts are caring and look out for each other, forming bonds that last a lifetime, while others ditch their young, leaving the little ones to fend for themselves. Let’s find out which families you’d love to be a part of, and which ones would make terrible mums, dads and siblings.

Family matters

Many animals live in groups, from prides of lions and troops of monkeys to pods of orcas or packs of wolves. There are solo parents, too. Cheetah mums raise their cubs completely on their own. Many reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, abandon their babies as soon as they are born.

Living in groups seems to be the most common form of relationship in the wild and there are obvious advantages to it. Groups of animals can share information, protect each other from predators, and also enjoy greater success in finding food. One thing is certain – different family groupings function in wildly different ways.