[pri-koh-shuh
l] 
| (of an animal species) active and able to move freely from birth or hatching and requiring little parental care (opposed to altricial ). |
| pre·co·cial (prĭ-kō'shəl) adj. Covered with down and capable of moving about when hatched. Used of wading birds and domestic fowl. [From New Latin praecocēs, precocial birds, from pl. of Latin praecox, premature; see precocious.] |
| precocial (prĭ-kō'shəl) Pronunciation Key
Born or hatched in a condition requiring relatively little parental care, as by having hair or feathers, open eyes, and the ability to move about. Water birds, reptiles, and herd animals usually have precocial young. Compare altricial. |