• Question: Why do animals share characteristics with their species even if they are separated from them?

    Asked by mouse to Carrie, Ellen, Rupert on 17 Mar 2017.
    • Photo: Carrie Ijichi

      Carrie Ijichi answered on 17 Mar 2017:

      Because lots of our physical and behavioural characteristics are the result of our genes as well as the environment we live in. For example, new born mammals don’t need to learn how to suckle from their mother. It’s so important for their survival that it can’t be left to chance so genes control the impulse to suckle. Most behaviour is the result of both environment and genes but genes help explain why it’s seen across lots of animals, even if they’re far apart.

      Hope that answers your great question

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