A man who has been raising ducklings right from the start recently shared his experiences of being a “new dad.”
When ducklings hatch, they instantly become attached to the first living being they see. This leads to them seeking constant companionship from that individual.
Islam, a UK content creator with a strong bond, became a duckling’s “mother” the moment Bambi emerged from her egg. The duo’s relationship has been captured in a viral video, amassing over 821.7K views and 5M likes.
In one TikTok post, Islam humorously shared, “Imagine raising a duckling who follows you everywhere because it thinks you’re its mom. I almost tripped over it so many times!”
Islam later revealed in another video that he had mistakenly misgendered Bambi before realizing she was female.
Bambi’s adorable antics, like trying to jump onto a step and stumbling but eventually succeeding, have won hearts on social media.
In a different video, Islam recounted the 28-day process of caring for Bambi’s egg before she hatched.
Islam had hoped for more ducklings to keep Bambi company as it is recommended for ducks to be in groups of at least three for social reasons.
To ensure the well-being of ducks, providing them access to clean water and a safe environment is crucial. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty advises proper care guidelines for ducks, including keeping them warm and comfortable.
On TikTok, viewers have been amazed by Bambi’s charm. Tahi commented, “That little sound of tiny feet following you is so endearing. Now I want a pet duck!”
Another user, Nessa, remarked, “Bambi’s small feet are working hard to keep up with her ‘dad’!”
Individuals also shared insights into imprinting behavior, citing the work of Austrian Zoologist Konrad Lorenz, who conducted experiments on geese and ducks to study the imprinting process.