Physical Differences:
* Size: Babies are usually much smaller than their parents.
* Appearance: Baby animals often have different markings, colors, or fur than adults. For example, baby deer have spots, while adult deer don't.
* Body Shape: Babies may have different proportions, like a larger head compared to their body, or shorter legs.
* Features: Some babies have features that disappear as they grow, like a yolk sac in some fish or a prehensile tail in some monkeys.
Developmental Differences:
* Maturity: Babies are not fully developed and require care from their parents. They may not be able to walk, eat solid food, or defend themselves.
* Skills: Babies lack many of the skills that their parents have, like hunting, navigating, or social interactions. They learn these skills through observation and practice.
Behavioral Differences:
* Playfulness: Babies are often more playful and curious than adults.
* Dependence: Babies are entirely dependent on their parents for survival.
* Communication: Baby animals often have different vocalizations or communication methods than adults.
Beyond these general differences, the specific ways a baby animal differs from its parent depend on the species:
* Mammals: Baby mammals are born live and typically nurse from their mother. They may stay with their parents for a longer period of time to learn essential skills.
* Birds: Baby birds hatch from eggs and are often helpless for a period of time. They are fed by their parents and learn to fly.
* Reptiles: Baby reptiles hatch from eggs and are often independent from the start.
* Amphibians: Baby amphibians often start as tadpoles in water and undergo metamorphosis to become adults.
* Fish: Baby fish hatch from eggs and may live in different environments than adults.
Remember that there are many exceptions to these general differences. There are some animals where babies look very similar to their parents, and some animals where babies are born fully developed and independent.