[__ Science __ ] Survival of the Show-Offs

[AIG.com]

Flashy feathers, hulking heft, amazing antlers—why do the males and females of some species look different?

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[Barbarian]

Peacocks, for example, are at a distinct disadvantage in escaping predators, and often die early. So why are they so encumbered by their elaborate feathers?

Females really like them. So the more elaborate the plumage, the more likely a peacock is to mate with a healthy peahen. And thereby pass on his genes. If he gets take out by a leopard shortly thereafter, it makes no difference to the survival of his genes. And so those genes get passed on.

Which was Darwin's great discovery. (read Darwin's 4 points to see why)

 

[Quantrill]

Most all of animal life is short lived. Amongst animals in the wild, it is always survival of the fittest. It is cruel. Merciless. It cares not for another. It cares only for it's stomach, whether it is full or empty.

Don't need Darwin to know that.

Quantrill

 

[Barbarian]

Most all of animal life is short lived. Amongst animals in the wild, it is always survival of the fittest. It is cruel. Merciless. It cares not for another. It cares only for it's stomach, whether it is full or empty.

Don't need Darwin to know that.

True that.

In fact, if anyone thought about it for a bit, the reason why male peacocks are so vulnerable to predators makes perfect sense, even apart from evolutionary theory.

As Thomas Huxley commented after reading Darwin's findings, he felt quite stupid for not realizing it himself.