Jungtieren

Jungtieren (Jungtier, plural Jungtiere) denotes young or juvenile animals of any species before they reach sexual maturity. The term is used across zoology, agriculture, and animal care to describe individuals that are still in the early life stage and often dependent on parental care or monitoring.

The Jungtier phase varies widely by taxon. In mammals, young animals may nurse and gradually become weaned, while in birds, hatchlings can be altricial (helpless at birth) or precocial (relatively independent soon after hatching). In many species, the juvenile stage includes learning essential skills such as foraging, social interactions, and avoidance of predators. The duration of the Jungtier period can range from days to years, depending on species and ecological conditions.

Common terms for Jungtiere differ by group. In mammals, examples include calves, cubs, fawns, and pups. In birds, chicks and fledglings are typical. Fish may have fry; amphibians commonly have tadpoles; reptiles often have hatchlings. These terms reflect both the developmental stage and the life history of the species.

In ecological and management contexts, Jungtiere are central to population dynamics, as survival and growth during this phase influence future reproductive success. Welfare considerations in farms, zoos, and conservation programs typically focus on nutrition, health, safe rearing environments, and appropriate social exposure for juveniles.

Overall, Jungtieren represent the critical early life stage across animals, characterized by growth, development, and the acquisition of species-specific skills leading toward adulthood.