Family Ties: Do Animals Have Grandparents?

Family plays an important role in human life. We are used to the fact that not only parents participate in our upbringing but also grandparents. But what about animals? Are we the only species for which ancestors have significant importance?

For most species on Earth, grandparents do not matter, as their ancestors are no longer alive by the time a new generation appears. Even if the lifespan of an animal coincides with that of its grandparents, most species leave their native places to avoid competition for resources.

However, there are exceptions. One such example is langurs, which live in very close-knit social groups. Zoologist Anne Innis Dagg, observing these monkeys in India, noted that elderly females actively interact with their daughters and grandchildren. Interestingly, grandmother langurs played a special role: they protected their grandchildren from attacks by humans, dogs, and other monkeys. Some elderly females paid even more attention to their relatives, caring for them and raising them when they misbehaved with other infants.

The connection between grandmothers and grandchildren is also observed in several species of whales that move in family groups. For example, elderly sperm whales care for the group’s calves while their mothers are foraging for food.

Interesting behavior from grandmothers is also observed in orcas. These animals can live significantly longer after their reproductive period ends. For instance, the oldest known orca died in 2016 at over 100 years old! In 2015, scientists found that elderly orcas help their offspring survive during tough times, as they remember the best places to find food.

Undoubtedly, the most well-known example of grandmothers and grandchildren is elephants. These animals live matriarchally, and since elephants can live to an old age, their offspring are born 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 raise and protect their grandchildren. A study conducted in 2016 showed that calves of young female elephants had eight times higher chances of survival if their grandmothers were nearby.

Most research has focused on studying the connection between grandmothers and grandchildren among mammals. However, there is evidence that some insects, such as Quadrartus yoshinomiyai (a species of aphid), also maintain such relationships. In this species, elderly females often protect their relatives after the breeding season. A study conducted in 2007 showed that Seychelles warbler grandmothers sometimes help their offspring raise chicks.

As for grandfathers, studies have shown that the connection with a grandfather in humans contributes to improved mental health. Unfortunately, in the animal world, no benefits from having a grandfather have been found for individuals. Male animals rarely interact with their offspring, let alone further descendants.