It’s true, human babies take a surprisingly long time to walk compared to many other animals. While a baby deer can stand and walk within hours of birth, human babies usually take around a year to take their first independent steps. This difference is due to a combination of factors, including:

1. Brain Development: Human babies are born with relatively underdeveloped brains compared to other animals. This means their brains need time to mature and develop the necessary neural connections to control complex motor skills like walking.
2. Upright Posture: Humans are the only primates that walk upright on two legs. This unique mode of locomotion requires a lot of coordination and balance, which takes time to learn. It’s like learning to ride a bicycle for the first time!
3. Delayed Motor Skills: Human babies have a longer period of physical development than many other animals. This allows them to develop a wide range of motor skills, from crawling and rolling to sitting and standing, all of which contribute to their eventual ability to walk.
4. Learning and Exploration: Humans are known for their complex learning abilities. Walking isn’t just about physical development; it’s also about exploring the world and learning how to navigate it. This takes time, practice, and a lot of trial and error.
5. Parental Care: Human babies are highly dependent on their parents for care and protection, which allows them to focus on developing their brain and motor skills without the immediate need to fend for themselves. In contrast, baby animals often need to be able to walk and move quickly to avoid predators or find food.

References

1. Why Babies Learn to Walk So Late | Live Science
2. Walking and Mobility Milestones | BabyCenter
3. When Do Babies Start Walking? | Verywell Family

Explore More

• What are some of the other motor skills that human babies develop before walking?
• How does the development of the brain influence the development of motor skills?
• Are there any cultural factors that influence the age at which babies start to walk?
• How do the differences in walking development between humans and animals impact their overall survival and evolution?
• What are some of the benefits of the longer period of physical development in human babies?