Differences in longevity

The Science Behind Why Males Live Harder And Die Younger

Data from chimps, gorillas, and humans reveal a smaller but consistent female advantage, reflecting weaker male competition in our species.Across 1,000 zoo species, females lived longer in most mammals, while males lived longer in most birds. Safe zoo conditions narrowed the lifespan gap but did not erase it, showing biology drives the difference more than environment. Mating systems played a major role: intense male competition and larger male body size shortened male lives. Humans fit the same pattern, with females living longer than males, though the gap is smaller than in chimps or gorillas. Exceptions like lemurs, raptors, and sea ducks reveal that social dominance and reversed size roles can flip the usual trend. ….[READ]