Watch Female Mongooses Fight For Their Kids
Nov. 16, 2017 - Mongoose mothers take protective parenting to an extreme level—by evicting rival females from their social groups. Researchers observed that dominant females often used violence to kick out other females from the group, a move that increases their own pup's chances of survival. Mongoose social groups are highly cooperative, but violence is common. Banded mongooses often give birth on the exact same day, so competition for food and care can be high. Multiple females, and some males, can be evicted at the same time. Pups of the dominant females have an increased chance of living past the first 30 days of life.
Transcript
Mongoose mothers take protective parenting to an extreme level—by evicting rival females from their social groups.
Researchers observed that dominant females often used violence to kick out other females from the group, ...
a move that increases their own pup's chances of survival.
Mongoose social groups are highly cooperative, but violence is common.
Banded mongooses often give birth on the exact same day, so competition for food and care can be high.
Multiple females, and some males, can be evicted at the same time.
Pups of the dominant females have an increased chance of living past the first 30 days of life.
