Do higher animals have a menopausal stage?

Question

Specifically the higher apes kept in captivity. Im guessing that in the wild they wouldnt live much longer than the fertile age. Can you imagine a Gorilla with PMS or mood swings?

Answer 1

It has long been a little puzzling why female apes not only survive their menopause for quite a bit (yes they have one), they also receive care from the other group members.
Only newer models that showed that it is not always sheer egotism that aids the survial of a species helped explain this.
These older female apes act basically as grandmothers, playing with the young, showing them how to be an ape, what to eat, what to fear etc. They provide their mothers with the opportunity to go foraging for food. Grannies really.
Thus, they also benefit their own genes directly by caring for grandchildren, but also their genes as represented in that particular group.
A Gorilla with PMS, now... hmm dunno. I think Gorillas can get pretty moody without having to have a menopause at all. Also they are VERY strong animals and would have no trouble at all in wrenching a human's arm or leg off with a little twist. ISeen like that, a menopausally violent Gorilla would be hard to distinguish from one that is merely violent ;-)

Answer 2

Here is an article about elephants and their life cycle.

Why don't you do a "search" to see what you can find about apes and gorillas?

PMS means PRE menstral syndrome.... not post menstrual syndrome and mood swings are very much part of many women's life prior to menopause.

Answer 3

Yes.
I can imagine.
It's all part of the reproductive cycle.
That is the way God planned it.
Females of the human species are the only ones who actually can choose when to have sex, and are not driven by their fertility period (pun).

Answer 4

Yes, eventually female animals pass breeding age.

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