Study Debunks Myth of Larger Male Mammals

Analysis of over 400 species reveals males are not bigger than females in 45% of cases, challenging traditional views on sexual dimorphism.

New analysis of 429 mammal species challenges the long-held belief that males are generally larger than females, finding that in 45% of the species, males are not bigger.
The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals that in 16% of the species, females are larger than males, and in 39%, both sexes are roughly the same size.
The misconception that males are usually larger has been attributed to biases in scientific literature and a focus on more charismatic species like primates and carnivores.
The findings highlight the need for more research on female biology and less charismatic species to gain a more accurate understanding of sexual dimorphism in mammals.
The research suggests that the narrative of larger males competing for mates may not apply as broadly across mammal species as previously thought.