For mammals, one secret to a long life may be spending it living with friends and family.
An analysis of the life spans and social lives of nearly 1,000 mammal species shows that species that live in groups, such as horses and chimpanzees, tend to live longer than solitary beasts, like weasels and hedgehogs. The finding suggests that life span and social traits are evolutionarily entwined in mammals, researchers report January 31 in Nature Communications.
The maximum life span of mammals ranges widely. The shortest-lived shrews, for example, survive about two years, while bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) can reach roughly 200 years of age (SN: 1/6/15).
When evolutionary biologist Xuming Zhou of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing was studying the longest-lived mammals to understand the evolution of longevity, he took particular note of naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber). The rodents are exceptionally long-lived, sometimes reaching over 30 years of age. They also live in huge, complex, subterranean societies. In contrast, other rodents like golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), which are solitary, live to only about four years.
Some previous research on specific mammal species showed an effect of social behavior on longevity, Zhou says. For instance, female chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) with strong, stable social bonds live longer than females without them.
2023-02-07 07:00:00
Original from www.sciencenews.org
Recent research has revealed that mammals living in fractured family or social groups may live longer than those that are alone.
The research, which was published in the journal eLife, focused on longevity research in mammals such as red wolf, coyote, grey fox, and shrub-dwelling deer mice. These mammals were studied to examine the effects of various types of family and social systems on lifespan.
The study found that more socially integrated animals had a median lifespan that was twice that of animals living alone. The researchers suggest that one factor could be that living in a group has a protective effect against predators, meaning that social animals lead a safer life.
The authors of the study also suggest that mammal longevity could be dependent on more than just physical factors, such as access to food and water. They surmise that the emotional and psychological effects of living in a social environment could also have an impact.
This study enhances our knowledge of mammal longevity and demonstrates the importance of living in a social group in encouraging long life expectancy. The results may even be applicable to humans, with social interaction and organization playing a role in our own long-term wellbeing.
The findings suggest that to ensure a long and healthy life, it may be beneficial to remain socially connected to family and friends. Animals may be able to teach us a lot about how our own social lives affect our own health and longevity.