altricial Definition
referring to a species of bird or mammal whose young are born helpless and require care from their parents for a period of time.
Using altricial: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "altricial" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Humans are an altricial species, requiring care and nurturing from parents for many years.
Example
Altricial birds like chickens and ducks are born with their eyes closed and require constant care from their mothers.
Example
The altricial nature of newborn marsupials means they must be carried in their mother's pouch until they are developed enough to survive on their own.
Origins of altricial
from Latin 'altrix', meaning 'nurse'
Summary: altricial in Brief
'Altricial' [ælˈtrɪʃəl] refers to a species of bird or mammal whose young are born helpless and require care from their parents for a period of time. Examples include humans, who require care and nurturing from parents for many years, and altricial birds like chickens and ducks, which are born with their eyes closed and require constant care from their mothers.
