A mother figure's influence on her son's sexual preference is so strong that a billy goat raised by a female sheep prefers ewes to nanny goats. Researchers led by Keith Kendrick at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge replaced lambs with kids soon after birth. Throughout their childhood, the young goats had free access to other goats. As adults, the billy goats preferred sheep for socialising and mating. Nanny goats were less affected by their foster mothers.
From Nature 395, pp229-230.
Register to continue
Why register?
- Registration is free and only takes a moment
- Once registered, you can read 3 articles a month
- Sign up for our newsletter
Subscribe
Or subscribe for unlimited access to:
- Unlimited access to news, views, insights & reviews
- Digital editions
- Digital access to THE’s university and college rankings analysis
Already registered or a current subscriber? Login