Weaning is defined as?

• A. The process of gradually introducing a mammal infant to what will be its adult diet and withdrawing mother's milk
• B. The process of separating a juvenile from its parents with a new home
• C. The process of teaching a mammal to eat only meat
• D. The process of training an animal to locate food by scent

Answer: (A)

Weaning is the transition of a mammal infant from mother's milk to an adult diet, done gradually by introducing solid foods and reducing nursing. In wildlife rehabilitation, this means matching the pace to the animal’s development and digestive readiness, so growth remains steady and the animal gains independence without stress or malnutrition. The process typically involves offering appropriate solid foods while tapering milk, then moving fully to solids once the animal can maintain weight and health on its own. This isn’t about relocating a juvenile to a new home, nor about teaching the animal to be carnivorous, nor about training for scent-based foraging; those are separate concepts.