Most animals do not have grandmothers, but elephants have. And it has an important role in the family

Grandmothers (and grandfathers) are a source of wisdom, peace and joy. Many of us have grown up with them and they owe some of the most important first lesson.

But we are not the only animal that has a grandmother. Elephants also have this happiness, writes Upworthy.

Elephants usually live in large families composed of infants, youth and female elephants. They are often led by the oldest female, which has an important social role in the family are known.

Research on this topic conducted by prof. Phyllis Lee discovered something surprising - the grandmother turns out to be an essential factor for the survival of elephants.

"It was unexpected for us" - says Lee. "We did not think we will find a positive relationship between the presence of her grandmother and the reproductive success of daughters."

Only a handful of animals - including man and other primates, whales and elephants have grandmothers.

For most animals, live and bear are inextricably linked. They can give birth to end of life. This makes animals such as elephants, which can live long after they stop reproducing, quite rare.

Part of the reason for this is the longevity of elephants. They can live up to 70 years. Many animals did not live to see the children of their children. But even have that option, most other animals do not have a special bond with their children when they grow up. In many species we can see how the mother and grandmother fighting for resources if you live in the same place. But not in elephants.

Elephants are mutually supportive.

(By the way, unfortunately for grandfathers, we must say that in this case there is no male equivalent of this phenomenon. As soon as mature, male elephants leave the family, and even lived to see the children of their children have no role in the family.)

What do grandparents elephants for your family?

They keep the baby monitor him and help him in difficulties.

Usually they are also boss of the family. Keep it in the best places at the best of food and water, or have a leading role in the interaction with other families elephants.

Lee examines the information collected from more than 800 individual elephants in Amboseli National Park in Kenya. Scientists have observed elephants there for decades. Much predstvoi yet to be processed.

Source: www.euroscientist.com , www.pixabay.com