What Animals Can Teach Us About Teenagers' Risky Behavior

Teenagers are notorious risk-takers, and the outrageous, unpredictable things they do—from extreme sports to binge-drinking—can seem inexplicable to the adults around them. Are they driven by rebellion, poor judgment or immature brains? In this excerpt from their book Wildhood, the bestselling authors of Zoobiquity, Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers, present findings from their five-year study on wild animal adolescence. They uncovered evidence that young folks are hardwired to take risks—and with good reason. Across the animal kingdom, risky behavior helps adolescents develop into safer and more confident adults. Can understanding the animal basis of a human teenager's behavior help a parent balance the urge to protect with the need to develop independence?

Vulnerable by Nature

Adolescent humans suffer much higher