More on Altruism
Why do vampire bats show kindness to each other, and is it a selfless act?

According to Trivers' theory, an individual will help another in anticipation that he will receive help if he needs it in the future. Rather than saying 'You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours', individuals that practice reciprocal altruism are saying, "I'll scratch your back now, and you can do the same for me when I need it". The trait has been illustrated in a number of distinct animal groups. One of the most well-known examples is from a study of vampire bats by Gerry Wilkinson, a zoologist at the University of Maryland.
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