Pups of powerful meerkat matriarchs pay a price for their mom's status
In meerkat society a dominant female is in charge, growling, biting, pushing and shoving to keep others in line. The matriarch's bullying behavior is fueled by high levels of testosterone that can surge to twice those of her male counterparts when she's pregnant. But while testosterone gives her a competitive edge and helps her keep the upper hand, it can also take a toll on the health of her developing offspring, researchers report.
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In meerkat society a dominant female is in charge, growling, biting, pushing and shoving to keep others in line. The matriarch's bullying behavior is fueled by high levels of testosterone that can surge to twice those of her male counterparts when she's pregnant. But while testosterone gives her a competitive edge and helps her keep the upper hand, it can also take a toll on the health of her developing offspring, researchers report.
