Why menopause?

(Public Domain)

Scientists have long been trying to figure out why menopause evolved within whales (and within humans, too, for that matter).

Recent studies indicate that menopause plays an important role in the survival of a species.  When post-menopausal females are no longer consumed with caring for their own children, they can now assist with caring for grandchildren. This takes some burden off of parents, which in turn supports the overall group.

So there you have it: grandmothers rock!  But all this begs the question: Don't aged females deserve to kick back on some tropical beach after a lifetime of hard work?

Resources

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191209161339.htm 

Copyright December 11, 2019 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved