Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 17 h ago, last 17 h ago, peak #6

Chimpanzee and bonobo mothers carry dead infants for months, study finds

Original: 🐒 NEW: A study of 83 cases across 15 # chimpanzee and # bonobo communities finds that mothers carry deceased # infants f

A new study covering 83 cases across 15 chimpanzee and bonobo communities documents that mothers carry the bodies of their deceased infants for weeks, sometimes up to four months. Cases in which the infant died of disease show the longest carrying periods, as the transition from life to death is gradual. Researchers say the behaviour offers insight into how great apes respond to death and may inform understanding of grief-like responses.

Why now: The study's findings about prolonged maternal care of dead infants resonate with public interest in animal grief and cognition.

chimpanzeesbonobos

Open on mastodon →

Evidence

• 🐒 NEW: A study of 83 cases across 15 # chimpanzee and # bonobo communities finds that mothers carry deceased # infants for weeks, sometimes for up to four months. Those that died of # disease are carried longest, since the transition from life to # death is gradual. Researchers… · tksst@fediscience.org · 3

API: https://socialmediatrends-api.osmike.com/v1/trends/650118