Menopause: A whale of a boon

Female Orcas    (Public Domain)

While studying killer whales, scientists have noted the essential role that menopause plays.

To date, researchers have only found three species that undergo menopause:  killer whales, pilot whales and humans.  If older females within these species were to continue reproducing, they and their late-life offspring might then be competing with daughters and grandchildren.

Talk about a potential soap opera! Menopause effectively lessens such familial threats, thus strengthening leadership options for female elders.  A University of Exeter study found that older female whales serve as “leaders and caretakers, sharing their food and how to survive.” 

Resources

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science-learned-why-women-go-through-menopause-by-studying-killer-whales-221324299.html

Copyright January 18, 2017 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved