Allomothering

Adult, juvenile and adolescent females engaging in behavior to comfort, assist, protect, babysit, shepherd and retrieve infants and calves that are not their own. Allomothers tend to be members of the same family as the calf, but may not be siblings.

References: Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6; Lee 1987; Bates 2008; Goldenberg & Wittemyer 2018. (Full reference list)

This behavioral constellation includes the following behaviors: Allo-Suckling, Allo-Trunk-Sucking, Body-Nudge, Comfort-Suckling, Coo-Rumble, Double-Suckling, Foot-Nudge, Lifting, Little-Greeting-Rumble, Pushing, Retrieve, Sheltering, Suckle-Stance, Suckling, Trunk-to-Body, Trunk-to-Infant-at-Breast, Trunk-to-Face, Trunk-to-Genitals, Trunk-to-Mouth, Trunk-Nudge and occurs in the following context(s): Calf Nourishment & Weaning, Calf Reassurance & Protection