parental behavior
in nonhuman animals, the process of preparing for the birth of offspring (often through nest building) and the actions of one or both parents that contribute to the survival or well-being of their young after birth. The latter include (a) nursing or otherwise provisioning the young with food, (b) retrieving behavior or carrying young in species that do not build permanent nests, and (c) weaning the offspring so that they can become independent. Many hormonal controls of parental behavior have been identified in females (as well as in males of those species in which males participate in care of young). Among human beings and other primates, parental behavior is less dependent on hormonal changes and more dependent on sociocultural and experiential factors than among other animals, although hormonal changes do still occur. See also maternal behavior; paternal behavior.