Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Altruism in Animals

Altruism is the habit of animals to act selflessly in the interest of others, despite having little or no personal benefit. It is seen in a variety of species, from primates to cetaceans and even invertebrates. Altruism has been studied extensively in the animal kingdom, with its significance and various uses being …

📚 0 peer-reviewed articles cited 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Altruism is the habit of animals to act selflessly in the interest of others, despite having little or no personal benefit. It is seen in a variety of species, from primates to cetaceans and even invertebrates. Altruism has been studied extensively in the animal kingdom, with its significance and various uses being explored. Research has suggested that altruism may be an evolutionary adaptation that increases an individual's chances of survival, as well as that of their species. Additionally, studies have shown that it can be used as a form of communication between species, as well as being beneficial for social bonding and monitoring. Altruism is an important aspect of the behavior of many animals, providing insight into their evolution and the dynamics of their interactions.

Research published in this journal

No peer-reviewed research on this exact topic has been published in International Journal of Ethology yet. Browse the journal →

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Curated from peer-reviewed research published in International Journal of Ethology.

Journal editorial board
Hsueh-Wen Chang · Taiwan

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.