Chapter 31, Problem 15A

Summary Introduction

To write: The reason for the behavior of an animal that would cause it to not spend energy and time caring for its offspring.

Introduction: Parental care is a behavior that benefits the offspring until it is sufficient to live on its own. As preparing a physical rearing environment, provisioning the offspring or defending the offspring from predators.

Explanation of Solution

Parental investment is an expenditure of time, energy, etc. which benefits the offspring at the cost of the ability of the parent to invest in other components of fitness. This behavior enhances the conditions, survival and reproductive success of the offspring.

However, this nurturing behavior causes the deprived reproductive health of the parent due to which the parent produces fewer offspring than animals that do not take care of their offspring.

The need for reproductive energy may cause an animal to not spend energy and time caring for its offspring.

Conclusion

Parental care is the behavior that helps in offspring survival. To make sure that any investment made into their offspring is well-spent. Parental care is mostly observed in vertebrates. This care changes from species to species depending upon the needed care by the offspring and the energy loss of the parents.