On the occasion of the commemoration of Women's Day, the BIOPARC of Fuengirola and Valencia and the Gijón Aquarium want to emphasize the importance of females for the development and survival of some species such as ring-tailed lemurs, elephants and octopuses.
Strength is generally related to power and this correlation seems most evident in the animal kingdom. Males are usually larger and more robust, which is linked to hunting, defense, group dominance or survival. However, There are many examples in nature where females are the fundamental axis of the species and the male's role is secondary or merely reproductive.
The BIOPARC commemorate World Women's Day 2023: “leaders” of the animal world.
Among the objectives of the Foundation and its Foundation is raising awareness of the wonders of the natural world, to awaken the feeling of protection towards the impressive and rich biodiversity that our planet treasures. The celebration of Women's Day represents a magnificent opportunity to get closer and discover some leaders of the animal kingdom that we can see in BIOPARC Fuengirola, Valencia and the Gijón Aquarium.
In the area that recreates in BIOPARC Fuengirola the island of Madagascar, we find the ring tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), where females are dominant. Upon reaching adulthood they acquire this position of leaders and fight for their own rank, where a daughter can be above or below her mother in the dominant position. The leader of the group makes decisions regarding vital resources such as searching for food and is the first to feed. They care for the young and for the males until adolescence, who are classified below the females.
En BIOPARC Gijón Aquarium, we can admire one of the most extreme cases in what is considered the most intelligent invertebrate. Is about female octopus (Octopus vulgaris) who literally sacrifice themselves to death for their offspring. After depositing the eggs (several hundred thousand) grouped in clusters in a safe place, they protect them tirelessly for several weeks from possible predators, clean them and keep them aerated and moving using jets of water produced with their siphon. In this total dedication the female stops feeding, which inevitably leads to her death from starvation after caring for the clutch.
Elephants, leaders of African fauna.
BIOPARC Valencia is home to a herd of African savanna elephantLoxodonta africana), highly social and intelligent animals and paradigm of matriarchy. Made up of related females and their offspring of different ages, the oldest one leads the pack, since what is important is her experience, although she is also usually the largest. She is responsible for up to 100 elephants, finding food and water, as well as defending the calves. The males separate from the group in adulthood and remain solitary, except during the mating season, but they do not stray too far from their family and are able to recognize it.
