Here's to you, Pops
Let’s face it: When it comes to paternal instincts in the animal kingdom, there are more than a couple of Bobby Browns and Michael Lohans.
In the natural world, a majority of dad critters are programmed to follow the familiar “dude meets lady; dude impregnates lady; dude leaves lady (if he hasn’t already) and their new offspring to go meet and impregnate new ladies” mating ritual. It’s all about the act of producing as many heirs as possible and not about sticking around.
However, there are some exceptions to the father non grata theme that dominate the animal kingdom parenting scene. In fact, in some species, the proud father plays an integral role in raising the young along with — or sometimes in place of — the mother.
With Father’s Day around the corner, we thought we’d celebrate a few standout fauna fathers who prove to be an exception to the prevalent “most animals are crappy dads” rule. Non-deadbeat dads of the animal kingdom, we salute you. (Text: Bryan Nelson and Matt Hickman)
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Comments
Doggie Daddy
having LIVED with the NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE...for 20yrs, because living with , watching, i`m going to include good old porcky, given the chance, makes a WONDERFUL DAD AND FOSTER DAD.Even being there to watch , help mon, and ever mon has had it with babes, dad will plays for HOURS with daddy-oh.. even foster son.Thia went on for all the years i`ve had male and female....dad does the playing and helping.BUT once a male baby hit`s hormes at around two, lol baby better move out...babe is old.... More
Yes, these are great pics of great dads ... great by human standards, that is. The urge to anthropomorphize is as irresistable for me as for you. But we have to keep in mind that the even greater wonders of evolution ensure that parents of any successful species are, by their very success, demonstrating that they are equally great as dads (and moms), even if their behavior is cruel or inexplicable or simply un-cute by our standards.
Well said.
A great story for Father's Day. I tried to send it to my animal loving friends too. For some reason it did not work. I put commas at the end of each address too. Any advice why it did not work?
Hi Pepper — You tried to send it with the 'Email' button right above the comments and below the photo?
— MNN Staff
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