the_trials_and_triumphs_of_mama_gator daf see also: welcome_to_prelife_instruction the_puzzle_that_is_you the_fetus_that_wanted_to_rule_the_world the_keepers_of_heart_and_hearth It's almost certain that the first nurturing behaviors were estrogen induced (or perhaps inhibited by testosterone.) Some 305 million years ago,among varanopid synapsid and her ilk, an interesting behavior seems to have made its emergence: a form of parenting. This was quite a remarkable leap forward when we consider that the landscape had been pretty much jellyfish-eat-jellyfish, with not much regard for the protection of offspring for the preceding 1.1 billion years. Up until that time (as far as we know), avoidance (through post-reproductive death or egg dispersal) had been the main strategy that kept offspring-squirting species from consuming their broods. By 200 million years ago or so, the earliest ancestors of crocodiles were making their appearance. Another 120 million years passed, and they were sharing the planet with the Maiasaura, who cared for their offspring in groups, likely treating their lumped together broods as a communal nursery. Meanwhile the direct ancestor of modern crocodilians had pretty much taken the form that we know now. It's quite likely that these early alligators exhibited the same protective doting that's still seen in their female descendants. (It's part of what makes them the adorable, cuddly creatures that they are.) And what constitutes "doting" among crocs and gators? Well, a brooding alligator mother will carefully construct a heap of sticks, grass and glop which she will then bless with her eggs, (some 2 - 4 dozen of them) cover, then monitor for temperature and sound for a full two months or more. She will add or remove material during this time, to keep the mound somewhere in a sweet spot between 86 and 93 degrees fahrenheit. (This to make sure that a good mix of gator boys and gator girls come out.) When the chirps of her young charges are heard, she will carefully remove material from the nest until she is able to gingerly pluck them up with her teeth and toss them into her tender, loving jaws. After making sure they are free from their leathery eggs, she will carry them to the water. Then, she will remain nearby for the next year or two until they've grown enough to care for themselves. This is quite incredible behavior for reptiles. But more than amazing behavior, it's a step toward the development of the family unit. We can see a fairly clear improvement in parental care as we move our way through the taxonomy tree from mama gator to human mothers. Birds and other animals add feeding their young to the growing list of caretaker behaviors. There's something else going on too: As has been it's habit for eons, testosterone is trying to impress females. We're watching males not only compete for mates by showing off their physical adaptations, but at some point intellect has tossed its hat into the ring and they're taking up protection of the female; feeding her while she cares for their offspring. At the time, this was 'game' on another level. It was also a huge step in the development of the incredible evolutionary strategy, that until fairly recently, was steadily propelling humanity forward. (Then the_fetus_that_wanted_to_rule_the_world meddled again and things went wonky, but it's a self-correcting process, so meh.) This pairing behavior was the precursor to what eventually came to be known as "the nuclear family." Before we go on, something should be clarified: Remember in "The_Puzzle_That_Is_You", the idea that we are simply an extension of the universe, and that reconnecting with it is our top priority? And how in "Welcome_To_Prelife_Instruction", we covered the notion that our bodies and brains might form a sort of biosuit which we inhabit? Well, where these two ideas collide we'll find another sort of answer to "what are we?". In the upcoming chapter, we will present one view of the traditional family unit which declares its incredible importance to the advancement of our species. Hopefully such a view can open the door to a broader conversation about the subject of social engineering vs. nature as engineer. 221214 ... daf see also: temple_in_the_tempest 221224 what's it to you? who go blather from