What factors improve the success of fostering young animals?

Matching the age of the offspring with the foster mother's own babies significantly improves the success of fostering young animals. When the ages are similar, the foster mother can better relate to the needs of the fostered young, as they are at comparable developmental stages. This means she is more likely to recognize and accept them as her own, exhibiting appropriate maternal behaviors such as feeding, grooming, and protecting them.

When the fostered young are of an age similar to her biological offspring, they can both benefit from the same care strategies, facilitating bonding and making the integration smoother. The familiarity in age helps the mother manage the care for both her own and the fostered animal, reducing stress and increasing survival rates for all offspring.

Other options, such as fostering animals from a different species or those older than the foster mother's own young, could lead to rejection or insufficient care, as the foster mother may not view them as her own or may not know how to care properly for them. Providing extra food can be helpful in some cases; however, without the right age match and acceptance, it might not ensure the successful bonding necessary for fostering.