A growing body of research suggests that animals, like humans, adjust their social behaviors as they age. Six studies published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B explored this topic, with one study focusing on red deer and another on house sparrows.
As animals grow older, they often interact less with their peers, which may help them avoid competition and reduce their risk of parasite infection. This behavior is not unique to mammals but also observed in birds, such as house sparrows, which tend to shrink their social circles as they age.
Studying the impact of social behavior on aging has provided insights into the potential biological and social benefits of these changes. Research with Drosophila fruit flies has shown that social interactions can significantly affect lifespan and aging, even in simpler animals.
These findings suggest that the social environment can vary by gender, timing, and social structure, highlighting the importance of considering these factors when studying animal behavior. The research underscores that changing social behaviors with age is a general phenomenon across species and may offer parallels to human aging.
By understanding how animals adapt their social interactions as they age, scientists hope to reveal fundamental patterns that apply across species and potentially suggest strategies for promoting healthy social aging in humans.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/social-aging-what-animals-can-teach-us-about-getting-older