Allo-Suckling

A lactating female Suckling a calf who is not her offspring; a calf Suckling from a lactating female who is not his or her mother.

References: Douglas-Hamilton 1972: ch 6; Lee 1987; Bates et al 2008. (Full reference list)

This behavior occurs in the following context(s): Calf Nourishment & Weaning

Allo-Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (1)

The ND family is heading away from us. A one year old calf (circled) walks after and Suckles from Nabila - twice. Then walks across the group and comes to Suckle simultaneously with Noyeau's newborn. It is quite unusual to see Double-Suckling, even more to see a female Double-Suckle a calf who is not her own unless the mother is a grandmother. This is not the case in this instance. Indeed the one year old apparently does not belong to Nabila either! So this may be a case of Allo-Suckling from both females. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Allo-Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (2)

Noyeau has a newborn who is Suckling on her right but meanwhile, on her left, a one year old female is also Suckling. The one year old was earlier Suckling from Nabila, who herself does not have a one year old female. So Noyeau is both Double-Suckling and Allo-Suckling. An adult male walks up disturbing them and Noyeau moves. The infant is distressed and we can hear three faint cries. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Allo-Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (3)

Noyeau has a newborn who is Suckling on her left. All morning she has been followed around by a <2 year old female who has been Double-Suckling with the infant and also was earlier Suckling from Nabila, who herself does not have a <2 year old female. In this clip the <2 year old joins the infant and they Suckle together again. Noyeau twice reaches back Trunk-to-Breast to check on the two. So Noyeau is both Double-Suckling and Allo-Suckling. The only female in the family with a female calf of this age is Nashipai. (Amboseli, Kenya)

Allo-Suckling

Context: Calf Nourishment & Weaning (4)

Noyeau has a newborn who is Suckling. All morning she has been followed around by a <2 year old female who has been Double-Suckling with the infant and also was earlier Suckling from Nabila, who herself does not have a <2 year old female. In this clip the <2 year old is hanging around Noyeau playing with a stick. As the infant starts Suckling she decides to have some too and walks around the back of Noyeau to get to her other breast. She Suckles briefly and then Social-Rubs against Noyeau's hind leg. This calf belongs to Nashipai so this is a case of Allo-Suckling. (Amboseli, Kenya)