Monogamy in Animals

Monogamy is when individuals have one mate for their entire lifetime or some specified period. In sexual monogamy, animals will have a single life partner throughout their whole life, just like humans in general.

In social monogamy, a male and female form a "pair bond," meaning they mate, raise their young together, and spend time together but still mate with others outside of their bonded relationship. Whether characterized by short-term or long-term pairings, all expressions of faithful monogamy are considered a rarity in the animal kingdom. Each animal that reproduces successfully helps perpetuate its species. Building on these facts, some scientists believe that monogamy evolved in species whose members are more likely to achieve reproductive success through pair bonding.

Here are some examples of sexual monogamy:

1. Snowy owls:
Pairs of snowy owls typically mate for life. The only exception to this occurs when there is a surplus of food. But they are generally considered sexually monogamous.
2. Dik-diks:
This is a species of tiny antelopes exhibiting sexual monogamy. The males follow around their female mates all year long, sticking close to them to discourage interlopers.
3. Male prairie voles:
They mate exclusively with the female they choose. Once pair-bonded, males are so devoted, they will attack females who come near them. When they bond with one another, prairie voles' brains release a flood of chemicals in a process remarkably similar to what humans experience when we fall in love; if a bonded vole loses their partner, it sinks into depression just like a human would.
4. Macaroni penguins:
These adorable couples dance when they see each other, called "an ecstatic display." They puff up their chests, swing their heads side to side, and make a gurgling-like sound. Once their baby is born, the father looks after the chick while the mother hunts for food.
5. Black vultures:
They are known as big believers of sexual monogamy. If a vulture is caught cheating on its partner, which rarely happens, a group of fellow vultures will attack the cheater.

There are many more species of animals exhibiting sexual monogamy. Like human behavior, other animals, too, have feelings of love, commitment, and sincerity towards their beloved life partners.