Mice cooperate if they benefit

(University of Zurich) House mice often raise their offspring in a communal nest. A new study conducted by biologists from the University of Zurich reveals that females tend to be more willing to raise their offspring cooperatively if they have similar litter sizes so that the investment is shared equally. As soon as the litter sizes differ, there are fewer communal nests. The mice therefore adjust their willingness to cooperate to the expected benefits.