Altruistic behavior among Tortoises

Before this was shot, a male tortoise was copulating with a female when another male became enraged and like a slow motion line backer plowed into the mating male to knock him off the female, and rolled him onto his back. The angry rival then hissed at the overturned tortoise a minute, and then proceeded to roll his defeated foe back over onto his feet as seen in the video. The two then strolled over to the lettuce pile and shared a snack, much like two guys sharing a beer after fighting over a girl.

So the question is, are tortoises known for this behavior? In the evolutionary sense, knocking off ones rivals enables the victor to spread his genes without competition. On the other hand, the species as a whole is more successful if they routinely ensure an overturned fellow tortoise is righted back onto his feet.

Filmed at Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia SC, 30 May 2009

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Tortoise
• altruism
• animal
• behavior
• Riverbanks
• Zoo
• Columbia

[killingrang]

@Zerothis incorret. in evolution survival is based on the species that is best adapted to its envirment, not just the strongest. altruistic behavior is well decumented to have benaficual effects on a species, therefore these traits are based on.

[Zerothis]

The answer does not make sense because science tells us "Survival of the fittest" improves a species. In reality, this force could only destroy a species eventually. They have seen an effect of nature and identified it as a cause. Parents *give* resources for young. They *expend energy* to pass on their genes. Altruism, love, cooperation, relationship is weakness not fitness (by logic alone). "Survival of the fittest" is *useless*. The true driving force is "The most efficient sacrificer."

[careanimalclinic]

Tortoises roll each other over intentionally or unintentionally males or females.

The fight doesn't end until one walks/runs away. The tortoise that is upside down is still in the other's territory and will continue being plowing into him until he walking away as the loser.

This strategy limits the number of tortoises killed by fights. Rarely is the over turned tortoises left upside down unless they are interrupted by a human or the like.