this post was submitted on 19 Sep 2024
1163 points (98.7% liked)
People Twitter
5225 readers
2746 users here now
People tweeting stuff. We allow tweets from anyone.
RULES:
- Mark NSFW content.
- No doxxing people.
- Must be a tweet or similar
- No bullying or international politcs
- Be excellent to each other.
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Can ask the same about men. Orcas have menopause. Female orcas live somewhere between 60 and 90 years. Male orcas only 30. Also... post menopausal orcas pimp out their sons. Imagine your mom as your wingman.
We live so long because we rely on experience. Menopause (and andropause) are just ways to make sure the parents don't compete with their offspring, but stick around long enough to help.
Death and aging is needed to make animals stop reproducing. This is because the only way we can adapt to changing enviroments, is through having offspring with a mutation that is hopefully useful. Lots of algae, fungi, bacteria don't have this issue. They can just transfer genes they developed/found to anither member of its species like it's christmas. No need to die if you can just adapt your own genetics.
Menopause (and andropause to a lesser extent) is our copout and allows us to live longer.