alloparenting

Definition

Parental behaviour towards infants and young from non-parents.

Etymology

From allo- + parenting.

Example Sentences

• "Some alloparenting relationships among animals resemble adoption, although more resemble foster care or wet-nursing."
• "The behaviors associated with alloparenting are phenotypically similar to maternal and paternal care."
• "Characteristics of species in which alloparenting occurs include organization into small, close-knit, and cooperative groups and infants being born relatively helpless and dependent on care from adults."