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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Nidifugous and Nidicolous?

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The terms "nidifugous" and "nidicolous" refer to the behavior of animals in relation to their birthplace or nest after they are born. The key difference between these two terms is:

  • Nidifugous: These animals leave their nest or birthplace shortly after birth and do not depend on their parents for food, protection, or learning survival skills.
  • Nidicolous: These animals stay in their nest or birthplace for a longer time after birth, relying on their parents for food, protection, and learning survival skills.

Both nidifugous and nidicolous animals are associated with parental investment, which is the allocation of resources, time, or energy to offspring by parents. Examples of nidicolous species include mammals and many species of birds. During the life span of a nidicolous animal, its brain expands 8–10 times its initial size, while in nidifugous animals, it expands from 1.5 to 2.5 times.

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  • What is the Difference Between Nidifugous and Nidicolous?
  • Comparative Table: Nidifugous vs Nidicolous

    • Comparative Table: Nidifugous vs Nidicolous

    The main difference between nidifugous and nidicolous animals lies in their behavior towards their birthplace after birth. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

    Feature Nidifugous Nidicolous
    Definition Animals that leave their birthplace shortly after birth Animals that stay at their birthplace for a long time
    Parental Investment Low, as the young can fend for themselves soon after birth High, as the young depend on their parents for protection and learning survival skills
    Examples Precocial birds, such as gulls and terns Altricial birds and mammals
    Brain Development Brain expands 1.5 to 2.5 times its initial size Brain expands 8-10 times its initial size

    Both nidifugous and nidicolous animals are part of the parental investment phenomenon, which refers to the allocation of resources, time, or energy to offspring by parents. These terms are derived from the Latin language and were coined by Lorenz Oken.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.