It's not just because the weather's warmer.
Why are baby farm animals typically born in the spring? And it’s not just because the weather’s better. Enjoy our seasonal weather post—and, of course, cute baby animal pictures!
Many animals and birds have their babies after the start of spring. Why?
- Of course, springtime does provide the best weather conditions for the animals to give birth. The temperatures rise and there is less chance of harsh weather.
- Also, the increased day length means that animals have longer to find food for their young.
- However, it’s not just warm temperatures and daylight that they need. Air pressure is also important! University of Arkansas scientists report that spring calves tend to be born when barometric (air) pressure is high.
High air pressure discourages rainfall (think “high and dry”). Calves born when the pressure is high are more likely to have some healthy dry weather before they have to deal with cold springtime rains and snow. (Can you tell I’ve been spending a lot of time among cattle raisers this month!)
Spring calves tend to be born when the air pressure is high. Credit: Vinai Suwanidcharoen/Shutterstock
4. For most grazing animals, spring is the time when food is becoming plentiful, too. The warmer days and regular rainfall during spring means plants such as grass grow well.
Many mammal mothers need fresh green grass and other plants which are rich in nutrients to produce lots of milk for her calf. These plants can have a higher percentage of protein and ‘total digestible nutrients’. This can lead to better milk production for the babies.
Most calves are born between February and May because of this reason.
Did you know: Mid-latitude animals born in spring have the best chance of survival. Tropical animals, where food is easily available all year round, are born during any season. For most middle latitude animals, it is a delicate balance between being born late enough to avoid the last snow storm and early enough to be well developed to face the rigors of fall and winter.
The correlation between animal births and springtime have made baby animals symbols of rebirth and hope.
Ever notice the pictures of lambs, chicks, fawn, and bunnies festooning Easter cards?
Bunnies and Easter
Where did the Easter Bunny come from? After all, rabbits do not restrain reproduction to springtime.
There are many reasons, often related to fertility. Did you know that rabbits can conceive one litter while still pregnant with another? European superstition, not knowing this, believed that rabbits were giving virgin birth. So rabbits became a symbol of Virgin Mary.
At the same time, one of the first signs of spring in Europe, was the rabbits leaving their burrows and “frolicking”. So the long-earred critters became the symbol of springtime, fertility, Mother Mary and rebirth.
Whatever your weather, it’s a season of rebirth and renewal—and who doesn’t love adorable baby animals?
Speaking of animals, did you know a group of rabbits is called a “nest of rabbits”? Find out all the different animal group names.
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Ah - - when animals are born has a lot to do when they are conceived! Farmers plan the breeding to make sure they are born in warmer weather. Management!
Whereas Fall/Halloween focuses on dying, Spring/Easter is the polar opposite and is all about life, rebirth and renewal. What better symbols of new life than eggs, pregnancy, fertility, baby animals, blossoming trees and flowers in bloom and, of course, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross in order to give us new and eternal life.
Spring has been late in Asia, too. It's probably the effect of the - NAO, again. I usually see magnolia buds starting to open around March 17th, but they stayed snug in their fuzzy wraps until the 30th, this year. It's the same with forsythia, apple and cherry blossoms. But, as of April 9th, everything is blooming at once! We had 2 days over 10 C (50 F), a rainy day, then two more warm and windy days. That's all it took for every tree and bush to go crazy, trying to make up for lost time.
A small added factor in our late spring was the Chinese smoke and dust cutting our sunlight. The dust? Much of northern China is apparently trying to become part of the Gobi Desert. They really need to plant trees as windbreaks, as was done in the Great Plains states after the Dust Bowl.
All my years I had never heard that rabbits could conceive a second litter while still pregnant....it's no wonder that there are so many of them around! Poor momma rabbits, though. I have to say that my garden plants wish they would stick to what the other animals do for amounts of young ones. I think lambs are about the most precious looking babies there are. I lived on a farm that had lambs every year and they would actually play a running game with each other. They would see who could get to the other end of the pen first. As I watched, I noticed that the ones that were a bit older were doing a bit of cheating though, they would start out a bit further from the fence than the younger ones, and of course get to the other side first, where they again stopped a bit short of the fence for the return trip. They would all wait for everyone to get there before starting for the other end, but the littler ones weren't seeing that the older ones had a big advantage. lol
A few friends of mine raise sheep on their farm and it looks like there will be some new born lambs come April! Here in New Mexico the weather is beautiful. I live just south of Santa Fe as well. If you have ever been to New Mexico, it is a hot spot for raising springtime cattle. The reason why is because we have plenty of sunshine and sunshine is what the springtime babies love
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