Classroom in the Animal World: How Wildlife Teaches Its Young"

-Shivaan Darda

Think school is just for humans? Not quite. In the wild, animal parents and communities pass down essential survival skills through observation, imitation, and trial and error. From building shelters to mastering stealth, the animal world has its own classroom, minus the desks. Here are some fascinating lessons we can learn from how wildlife teaches its young.

Hunting isn’t instinct alone

Cheetah moms don’t just leave cubs to figure it out – they demonstrate how to stalk and chase. Cubs as young as six weeks start mimicking hunting behaviours, improving over time through practice.
Nest building starts with practice:
Young birds like weaver finches attempt multiple messy nests before they get it right. This trial-and-error process shows that even in nature, perfection takes patience and persistence.

Teamwork is survival

Orcas, or killer whales, hunt in co-ordinated groups. Older ones teach calves to herd fish or tip ice floes. Their strategies show that collaboration isn’t just useful it’s often essential for catching food.

Tool use is taught
Chimpanzees in the wild learn to use sticks to fish termites from mounds. Studies in Uganda showed it takes years for young chimps to master this seemingly simple trick. Danger signals are learned,too: Meerkats teach pups how to identify threats. Adults will give alarm calls and model the right responses – run, hide, or stand guard. It’s like emergency drills, but with claws.

Play as a learning tool
Foxcubs and lion cubs ‘play fight’ to develop muscle coordination a social ranking. These playful sessions prepare them for the real life challenges of hunting and defending territory. Patience is part of the process: Elephants allow their calves time to explore and learn. With lifespans of over 60 years, their young learn slowly, often staying with the herd for more than a decade.