ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Co-operation (evolution)

Co-operation is when animals or humans work together to achieve a common goal. Just like how you and your friend may team up to build a sandcastle at the beach, animals may also co-operate with each other to find food, protect themselves from predators, or raise their young.

In nature, co-operation is important for the survival and evolution of species. For example, some birds may work together to build a nest or protect a shared territory, while lions may hunt in packs to take down larger prey. By co-operating, these animals increase their chances of survival and passing on their genes to future generations.

However, co-operation can also be tricky because animals may have conflicting interests or goals. For example, a group of monkeys may share food, but the more dominant monkeys may try to hog all the resources, leaving the weaker monkeys hungry. In such cases, animals may need to negotiate and co-operate with each other to find a fair and efficient solution for the group as a whole.

Overall, co-operation is an important part of evolution and survival in the animal kingdom. It helps animals adapt to changing environments and increases their chances of passing on their genes to future generations.