Dangerous and energetic sex lives could be why males die earlier than females, study suggests
Polygamy in animals contributes to males dying younger
- Scientists have discovered that female mammals live on average 13 per cent longer than males, while male birds typically live about five per cent longer than females.
- Intense competition for mates, often involving energetic and injurious mating rituals in polygamous species, is a significant factor contributing to shorter lifespans for male mammals.
- In contrast, many bird species are monogamous, which reduces competitive pressure and often results in longer lifespans for males compared to females.
- The study also indicates that the sex primarily responsible for raising offspring, commonly female mammals, tends to exhibit greater longevity.
- Genetic factors, such as the presence of two X chromosomes in female mammals, may offer a survival advantage, although sex chromosomes alone do not fully explain all observed patterns.