Adoptions in the animal kingdom may confer an evolutionary advantage, but other factors — such as empathy, the urge to care for babies and inexperience — could also contribute.
Adoption is common among humans, who may decide to raise someone else's child for a range of reasons, including fertility struggles or the wish to provide a home for youngsters in need.
Mountain gorillas live in social groups composed of a dominant male and several females with their offspring. Regardless of whether the dominant male fathered the infants, his role is to protect the next generation from infanticide at the hand of rival males. His ability to do so may determine his reproductive success, Morrison said.
Another possibility is that, like humans, female bonobos feel empathy and a fascination with infants, according to the study."Within primate species, some adults are really baby-obsessed," Morrison said, adding that this zeal can lead to kidnappings and death if the infant is caught in a commotion. "All of the females, and especially the females who haven't had a calf yet, are totally baby-obsessed," he said."The first year of a calf's life is the absolute center of attention for everyone."
See moreA big question also remains over why this may be beneficial for orcas. Producing milk comes at a huge energetic cost, and moms nurse their calves for up to three years, Weiss said. By dividing a female's attention and draining her resources, adoptees could also pose"a bit of an issue" for any existing biological offspring, he added.
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