Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

Why are baby birds different from infant mammals in terms of waste elimination?

1. Because baby birds regulate their waste better.

2. Baby mammals need stimulation to urinate and defecate.

3. Baby birds require assistance to eliminate waste.

4. Infant mammals develop control before opening their eyes.

The correct answer is: Baby mammals need stimulation to urinate and defecate.

Baby mammals require stimulation to urinate and defecate because their bodily functions are not fully developed at birth. Unlike baby birds, which have a more instinctual and regulated approach to waste elimination, neonatal mammals usually rely on environmental cues or physical stimulation from their mothers to trigger this process. This is particularly important for young mammals, as their muscles and nervous systems need to develop to the point where they can control their bodily functions independently. In contrast, baby birds often do not need the same level of stimulation because they are generally more efficient in their waste elimination due to their different physiological adaptations. These adaptations allow them to expel waste in a form that can be more easily managed by both the parent and the environment.