What action allows wolf pups to start eating solid food earlier than dog puppies, often around three weeks of age?

Answer

Adults regurgitate food for the newborns.

The early development of wolf pups is significantly aided by the communal provisioning strategy employed by the pack. While newborns initially rely entirely on their mother's milk for sustenance, the transition to solid food is accelerated compared to domestic dogs. This early introduction to meat and other solids, often starting around three weeks old, is facilitated because the adult members of the pack, including the breeding pair and subordinates, regurgitate food that they have previously consumed and partially digested. This regurgitated material is easily digestible for the young pups, ensuring they receive necessary nutrients and calories crucial for rapid growth while they are still too young or immobile to participate in foraging or hunting activities themselves.

What action allows wolf pups to start eating solid food earlier than dog puppies, often around three weeks of age?

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