Dolphins and Orcas Unveil the Secret of Female Longevity 0 11

The uniqueness of female longevity after the reproductive period can be considered an outstanding feature. To date, aside from humans, only five species are known in which females experience menopause and continue to live for many years, helping to raise grandchildren. All these species belong to the parvorder Odontoceti: menopause is observed in female narwhals, belugas, orcas, short-finned pilot whales, and dolphins.

Researchers from the University of Exeter (UK), whose work was published in the journal Nature, found that females of all these species live on average 40 years longer than females of other toothed whales that do not experience menopause.

The scientists suggest that it is the loss of reproductive ability that allows females to enjoy these “bonus” 40 years. A similar phenomenon is observed in women, who live about as long as female chimpanzees that remain fertile until death.

The authors of the study believe that their results confirm the evolutionary advantages of menopause, which has independently developed and established itself in both humans and some toothed whales. Numerous observations show that older female orcas and other species play a key role in the survival of their pods after menopause: they become wise leaders and help younger females care for their offspring. A similar role in human society is performed by grandmothers, who care for grandchildren and pass on their life experience to daughters and daughters-in-law.