Do you remember Rick Astley’s song, “Together Forever”? You know the one that goes “Together forever and never to part. Together forever with you. And don’t you know I would move heaven and earth to be together forever with you!” Well, if you think that song only applies to love-struck humans you’ve got another thing coming.
Apparently, humans are not the only species that are capable of being monogamous. Some species in the animal kingdom do, in fact, mate for life. Here are 10 animals are known to remain true to their partners.
TERMITES
Yes, those annoying little creatures that eat the wood in your homes – they are notoriously monogamous! Actually, not only are they monogamous, they are also very family oriented! Did you know that each termite colony is actually one enormous extended family unit?
PENGUINS
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Though not monogamous in the truest sense of the word, penguins are what can be best described as serially monogamous – meaning they only have one mate for every breeding season. There are, however, some penguins who do return to each other each season. Scientists have tracked a particular couple of Magellanic penguins who keep going back to the same partner for the past 16 years! How’s that for devotion!
BARN OWLS
Barn owls are animals that do stay together, till death to they part! Although their “married life” is ideal, their courtship period leaves much to be desired. During mating season, the male barn owl initiates courtship through showy display flights coupled with loud yelling and whistling, after which the male would hover around his chosen female until it’s time to mate. Not so romantic.
SHINGLEBACK SKINKS
Skinks are cold-blooded reptiles but they definitely don’t act that way once they’ve found the love of their life! Male skinks start romancing the female skins the minute he sees the one he likes. He follows her around and nudges and licks the female constantly. This goes on for a few months and once their bond is formed, they will seek each other out every breeding season. Some skinks have been known to stay together for as long as 20 years! And when a skink dies – the surviving skink will stay by the deceased skink’s body for days, nudging it occasionally – hoping perhaps, to revive it?
PRAIRIE VOLES
These cute little rodents are, not just the most lovingly monogamous creatures on our planet, they are the most family oriented ones as well. As a couple, prairie voles mate together, spend their free time together, build homes together, even groom each other! And when the family grows bigger, both male and female rodents become devoted parents to their offspring.
BALD EAGLES
Apart from being the national symbol of the United States and a proud icon of patriotism; bald eagles should also be the symbols of faithful monogamy. Although bald eagles spend migration on their own, once mating season starts, they fly back to their chosen mate.
FRENCH ANGELFISH
French angelfish not only stay with their mates until death, they also spend all their time swimming side by side. If you think that’s sweet, French angelfish exhibit “carouseling” (circling round and round each other) when they come together after spending some time apart – obviously excited and happy to be with each other again.
BEAVERS
Hard-working beavers are very loyal and stay faithful to their mates. Apart from being great partners, they are also amazing parents because both beavers take an active hand in bringing up their offspring! It’s never “you do this, I do that” for beavers – it’s always, “let’s do this together”.
SWANS
One of the most commonly used symbols of romance, swans are fairly monogamous. Fairly, you say? Yes! Because they do stay together for long periods of time – HOWEVER, if one swan is no longer able to breed with one another, they both find other partners to procreate with. What’s nice with swans, however, is that even though the original pair have separated, they still can live closely with the other swan and his/her new sweetie.
WOLVES
In the world of wolves, the alpha male (dominant wolf) never works by his lonesome. He always has his alpha female by his side, and together, they share dominance in the pack. It’s interesting to note, however, that during mating season, the ladies rule.