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Dominance (ethology) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In the context of the behaviour of animals, dominance means that one animal, or a small group has a high social status. Because of this status, these animals get better access to resources, such as food. Dominance (and submission, the contrary) is always linked to the relationship of two animals, one of them has a higher social status than the other.

Images for kids

  • Mandrillus sphinx (alpha male)

    A high-ranking male mandrill advertises his status with bright facial coloration.

  • Weeper Capuchin 01 (cropped)

    Wedge-capped capuchins have a clear dominance hierarchy

  • Wikipedia project hormone

    The effect of relative rank on stress hormone levels in savanna baboons

  • 6 bonobos WHCalvin IMG 1341

    The bonobo is one of the few mammals with female-biased dominance.

  • Bottom rank hen

    Bottom-rank chicken showing feather damage from pecking by other hens

  • Vache herens

    Eringer cattle competing for dominance.

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