Kin selection can explain many acts of altruism among animals that live in groups. For example, prairie dogs are more likely to bark out risky warning calls to alert their relatives to seek shelter.

Examples of animal altruism abound. Dogs often adopt orphaned cats, squirrels and ducks. Dolphins support sick or injured animals, swimming under them for hours at a time and pushing them to the ...

More likely we're not around when they do. Other examples of animal altruism suggest that at times one species may also help another. In 2009 biologists saw a humpback whale in the Antarctic save ...

Not all experts agree with the idea of talking about bona fide altruism in animal behaviour. Yet, examples defy the doubts: Some animals really do bend over backward for others. Caring chimps In ...

Fairy wrens are accountants of the animal kingdom, not altruistic as previously thought Date: March 20, 2011 Source: Monash University Summary: A puzzling example of altruism in nature has been ...

Scientists have long witnessed altruism in the animal kingdom ... North Carolina. Examples of creatures caring for others at the expense of themselves are well-known. Ants, bees, and some birds ...

Some animals rarely if ever interact with one ... or potential cost of the individual who performs the act. An example of altruism comes from ground squirrels, who may warn other members of ...

Indeed, nearly every non-human example of altruism in the animal world can be explained in terms of kin selection, with individuals sacrificing themselves for genetically similar relatives.

We've all heard examples of animal altruism: Dogs caring for orphaned kittens, chimps sharing food or dolphins nudging injured mates to the surface. Now, a new study suggests some plants are ...

Correspondent Lesley Stahl visits Funny Farm Rescue, a not-for-profit New Jersey sanctuary for retired, abused or neglected animals, where interspecies bonds are formed.