Political Animals: Mole-Rat Queens and Genital Power - 2/3

Zoologist Lucy Cooke is on a mission: to break down the 'sexist
stereotype' she believes has permeated our understanding of the
natural world.


In Political Animals, she sets out to prove that females of the
species can be just as fiesty, ardent, manipulative, aggressive,
strategic, varied and political as males - questioning some of
the theories laid out by the 'father of evolution', Charles
Darwin, and hearing from pioneering scientists moving
evolutionary biology beyond a male-centric narrative.


In this second instalment, Lucy explores ways in which female
animals wield authority; with examples ranging from repressive
mole-rat queens to ducks with deceptive vaginas, all proving that
power can be about more than physical strength.


This involves a visit to the UK's only colony of naked mole-rats,
overseen by Chris Faulkes at the University of London’s Queen
Mary College; an introduction to the world of labyrinthine animal
vaginas and their evolutionary benefits with Patricia Brennan
from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts; and assisting with
feeding time at Twycross Zoo's bonobo enclosure, as Amanda
Addison and Becca Biddle explain the power of the ape
sisterhood... Meanwhile Joe Cain from University College London
sheds more light on Darwin’s attitude towards females.


Featuring excerpts from ‘The Descent of Man, and Selection in
Relation to Sex’ and personal notes written by Charles Darwin,
read by Derek Frood.


Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Lucy Taylor.


First broadcast on Friday 25 February 2022.