How do humans differ from other primates in life stages?

Answer 1

Great question! While the general framework of life stages is the same, there are some fascinating differences. One of the biggest differences is the "Grandmother" phase of human life, in which adults (especially females) survive long past their reproductive years. Anthropologists believe that the selective advantage of this pattern lies in its support of grandchild survival.

Humans also have an extended "sub-adult" adolescent phase, which has profound implications for our species' ability to absorb and pass on culture (think: when we are going to school, we aren't babies, but we aren't adults!).

Many other timelines are similar, including gestational period, breast-feeding duration, etc.