Waddle You Know? 10 Interesting Facts About Ducklings
- Ducklings can swim and dive as soon as they hatch. They have a special oil gland near their tail that secretes oil to keep their feathers waterproof.
- Ducklings have a special adaptation called imprinting, which means they form strong bonds with the first moving object they see after hatching. This is usually their mother, but it can also be a human or another animal.
- Ducklings have a special tooth called an egg tooth, which helps them break out of their shells. The egg tooth falls off after a few days.
- Ducklings are very social animals and like to be with other ducklings. They will often snuggle together for warmth and comfort.
- Ducklings can communicate with each other even before they hatch. They make peeping noises to let each other know they are there.
- Ducklings are very active and can walk, run, and jump as soon as they hatch. They are also very curious and like to explore their surroundings.
- Ducklings have very fast growth rates and can double their weight in just a week.
- Some species of ducks, such as the wood duck, have brightly colored plumage even as ducklings.
- Ducklings are precocial, which means they are born with their eyes open and are able to feed themselves within hours of hatching.
- Ducks have been known to adopt orphaned ducklings or even chicks from other species and raise them as their own.
