Neoteny

Neoteny is the process where certain juvenile traits of an organism are retained into adulthood. It occurs when the development of physical or behavioral features slows down or pauses, so adult individuals look or behave more like young offspring. This phenomenon can happen naturally in evolution—some species have evolved to keep youthful features longer, which may offer advantages such as increased adaptability or social appeal. Essentially, neoteny involves preserving juvenile characteristics beyond the typical age, influencing the appearance, behavior, and development of a species.