altricial

[ al-trish-uhl ]

adjective

, Zoology.

1. helpless at birth or hatching and requiring parental care for a period of time ( precocial. )

altricial

/ ælˈtrɪʃəl /

adjective

1. (of the young of some species of birds after hatching) naked, blind, and dependent on the parents for food

noun

1. an altricial bird, such as a pigeon

altricial

/ ăl-trĭsh′əl /

1. Born or hatched in a helpless condition requiring prolonged parental care, as by being naked, blind, or unable to move about. Nesting birds, monotremes, marsupials, and carnivores have altricial young.
2. Compare precocial

Word History and Origins

Origin of altricial¹

1870–75; < Latin altrīc-, stem of altrīx wet nurse, nourisher ( al ( ere ) to nourish ( aliment ) + -trīx -trix ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of altricial¹

C19: from New Latin altriciālis, from Latin altrix a nurse, from alere to nourish

Example Sentences

She says that newborn cardinal chicks are altricial, which means they're naked, blind, and reliant on their parents for everything.

From National Geographic

Babies that need a lot of care are called altricial babies, and animals that are born more developed are called precocial.

From National Geographic

Because they live near the top of the food chain, carnivores can “afford” to give birth to more altricial babies in a cave or den, and to raise their babies there.

From Washington Post

So men are why we were able to have altricial, big brained infants.

From Scientific American

Humans are an altricial species, which means that they’re born helpless.

From Scientific American