More examples would be that male bears do not care for their offspring, nor do male herd animals pay much attention to theirs.
What I am saying is that animal mates should act like they would in the wild. Sure, it would be different for real players but the NPCs would do what they were programed to do.
Example:
A NPC female gecko could automatically become preggo and lay eggs in a hole, then leave.
OR, eggs could just automatically appear in a hole, unprotected were players can go in and raid them. When the eggs do hatch the babies could remain inside the hole until they grow up. In the meantime their stats will not deteriorate unless they are attacked or messed with.
A female bear would care for her cubs in the same way before, only the male wouldn't be present.
A female rattlesnake (not sure about kingsnake) would stick around to guard the eggs until they hatch, then leave.
Oh, and male herd animals already don't do anything to help with their offspring so they are fine the way they are.
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Another thing I would like to suggestion/refresh/bring back would be the idea of family trees or a lineage. A real player or NPC with parents would have this. Perhaps it could be displayed by a little tree symbol somewhere on the animal profile. The lineage would show their offspring,mates, siblings,parents,grandparents etc.
I'm not sure how the format will look like. I will try making a picture of an example.
If this is currently too much, how about just adding the father to the animal profiles, perhaps have the adults keep it when they grow up.






