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Mammals that live in groups may live longer, longevity research suggests

Genetic analyses also suggest mammals’ social lives and life spans are evolutionarily linked

A cluster of greater horseshoe bats hanging upside down in a cave

Greater horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) live in groups and live long lives, sometimes surviving up to 30 years.

Imagebroker / Alamy Stock Photo

By Jake Buehler

For mammals, one secret to a long life may be spending it living with friends and family.

An analysis of the life spans and social lives of nearly 1,000 mammal species shows that species that live in groups, such as horses and chimpanzees, tend to live longer than solitary beasts, like weasels and hedgehogs.