TED-Ed: Why animals help each other | Ashley Ward

The video explores the concept of cooperation and altruism in the animal kingdom, challenging the traditional view of 'survival of the fittest' as purely about physical strength. It highlights examples like humpback whales rescuing seals, mutualism and parasitism among cleaner fish, meerkat sentry behavior, and reciprocal altruism in vampire bats. The video suggests that fitness can also involve cooperation and altruism, with animals sometimes acting selflessly to protect others, even unrelated species.

What is the main reason humpback whales might protect seals from orcas?

• To practice hunting skills

• To find new feeding grounds

• To establish dominance over orcas

• To respond to a distress signal

How does Darwin's concept of 'fitness' differ from the common interpretation?

• It involves passing genes to the next generation

• It focuses on the most aggressive animals

• It refers to physical strength

• It is about survival of the strongest

What is mutualism in the context of animal behavior?

• A relationship where animals compete for resources

• A relationship where one animal benefits at the expense of another

• A relationship where both animals benefit

• A relationship where animals ignore each other

Why might meerkat sentries increase their fitness despite the dangers?

• They gain fitness by avoiding predators

• They gain fitness by eating more food

• They gain direct fitness by having more offspring

• They gain indirect fitness by helping relatives survive

What is reciprocal altruism as seen in Costa Rican vampire bats?

• Sharing food to ensure future help

• Avoiding other bats to reduce competition

• Helping others with no expectation of return

• Competing for food resources