Handling of young mammals should be tapered off at what time?

• A. When they are weaned.
• B. When they first open their eyes.
• C. When they begin self-feeding.
• D. After they are fully grown.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that handling should be reduced as soon as the animal can feed itself. Once a young mammal begins self-feeding, it no longer depends on constant human hand-feeding, which helps prevent imprinting, reduces stress from handling, and encourages natural foraging and independence. Continuing heavy handling after they can self-feed can make them more habituated to humans and less able to survive in the wild.

Eye-opening or waning milk dependence happen earlier developmental stages and don’t guarantee the ability to feed independently. Waiting until they are fully grown is impractical for rehabilitation and release, since many animals are released long before reaching full maturity.