Yellow baboon: female offspring quickly become independent

Sociability in the animal world is understanding the influence of social behavior on the lives of animals. An example is the one on the yellow baboonwhere I sons women make it independent faster from mothers than others. Researchers have studied the behavior of this species for 8 years and observed 75 individuals in Zambia.

Scholars have looked for possible factors that influence certain aspects of their children’s lives. Experts found that the behavioral maturation of children was quantified based on time convenient for any immature one to buy independence. The increase in the social rank of the mothers and the presence of a social network between the mothers and the adults of the group are the predominant factors. They increase the chance of independence of their children in a short time.

During this study it also became clear that baboons that mature faster and become independent also have an advantage over immature. Even compared to those who slow down their behavioral development, this is due to the different surroundings brought socially by the difference of the social role of the mothers.

Future studies will look at whether the baboons that first become independent are the same ones that are also successful in adult life. Thus, maternal sociality would represent a long-term adaptive role, providing valid information aboutevolution behavior of yellow baboons and other species.