tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post7472658997388863231..comments2023-10-19T23:31:13.746-07:00Comments on Field Notes from an Evolutionary Psychologist: The Wild West - Prairie Dog StyleField Noteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18372584643389870376noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-87222838058882662062007-02-28T17:39:00.000-08:002007-02-28T17:39:00.000-08:00It's probably a good strategy for the gerbil, but ...It's probably a good strategy for the gerbil, but it freaks the hell out of the 7 year old watching.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01666070551981021510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-27769734224197485592007-02-28T14:23:00.000-08:002007-02-28T14:23:00.000-08:00Yes, that happens frequently with rodents in capti...Yes, that happens frequently with rodents in captivity. Female infanticide and cannibalism (of her own infants) can be a good strategy if the mother perceives there isn't enough food to go around. Killing her babies eliminates the competition, leaving what available food supply exists entirely for her. Sarah Hrdy, a very well-respected sociobiologist, believes human mothers do a similar thing (minus actually eating the babies) for the same reason.Field Noteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18372584643389870376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30314848.post-17941573072216991982007-02-28T13:51:00.000-08:002007-02-28T13:51:00.000-08:00I know nothing about monkeys, but I do know that a...I know nothing about monkeys, but I do know that a mama gerbil will eat all of her babies if allowed to. At least that's what mine did when I was a kid.luluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06468418041443316689noreply@blogger.com