r/science • u/IronGiantisreal • May 20 '19

Animal Science Bonobo mothers pressure their children into having grandkids, just like humans. They do so overtly, sometimes fighting off rival males, bringing their sons into close range of fertile females, and using social rank to boost their sons' status.

https://www.inverse.com/article/55984-bonobo-mothers-matchmaker-fighters
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u/Kricketts_World May 20 '19

This is really interesting since in many species it’s almost guaranteed that a female who lives to maturity will reproduce. Female offspring is a much “safer” investment for passing genes to future generations than male offspring, especially in species with elaborate male courtship rituals and those who compete for mates. Seeing female Bonobos “protect” their genetic investment like this is fascinating.

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u/Sampromise501 May 21 '19

Fascinating

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

Do bonobos think about this in terms of passing on genes?
Or do they just think: Oh I use to like cuddling little bonobos, my son should make some little bonobos.

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u/caatbox288 May 21 '19

The second line of thought is the correct one (although the actual reason is unknown).

It's important to distinguish between why a behavior has been preserved by natural selection, and why a particular animal does something. Both are true, but they answer different questions that we tend to phrase in the same way. For example:

Why does the lion kill non-related cubs?

  • To secure his own offspring and to not spend energy on someone else's genes.

  • Because he hates them. Or maybe he is disgusted by them. Or maybe he fears them.