Family plays an important role in human life. We are used to the idea that not only parents participate in our upbringing but also grandparents. But what about animals? Are we the only species for which ancestors matter so much?
For most species on the planet, grandparents do not matter at all, as their ancestors have already passed away by the time new offspring appear. Even if the lifespan of an animal coincides with the life cycle of its grandparents, many species prefer to disperse and leave their native places to avoid competition for resources.
However, there are exceptions. One such example is langurs—monkeys that live in very cohesive social groups. Observing these animals in India, zoologist Ann Innis Dagg noted that older females actively communicate with their daughters and grandchildren. Interestingly, the langur grandmothers had their own role! They aggressively defended their grandchildren from threats posed by humans, dogs, and other monkeys. Some older females paid even more attention to their relatives, caring for and nurturing them when they misbehaved with other infants.
The connection between grandmothers and grandchildren can also be observed in several species of whales that move in family groups. For example, older sperm whales take care of the group’s calves while their mothers dive for food.
Interesting grandmother behavior is also observed in orcas. These individuals can live significantly longer after the end of their reproductive period. For instance, the oldest known orca died in 2016 at the age of over 100 years! In 2015, scientists found that older orcas help their offspring survive during tough times, as they remember good places to find food.
Undoubtedly, the most famous example of grandmother-grandchild interaction is elephants. These animals live by the principle of matriarchy, and since elephants can live to an old age, their offspring appear when a grandmother may already be in charge of the group. Females in the herd form very strong bonds with each other, and grandmothers often care for and protect their grandchildren. A study conducted in 2016 showed that the calves of young female elephants had eight times greater chances of survival if their grandmothers were nearby.
Most research has focused on studying such connections among mammals. However, there is evidence that some insects, such as Quadrartus yoshinomiyai (a species of aphid), also maintain such relationships. In this species, older females often protect their relatives after completing their reproductive cycle. A study conducted in 2007 showed that Seychelles warbler grandmothers sometimes help their offspring in raising chicks.
As for grandfathers, studies show that having a connection with a grandfather in humans contributes to improved mental health. Unfortunately, no benefits from having a grandfather have been found in the animal kingdom. Male animals rarely interact with their offspring, let alone further descendants.
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