In our everyday lives, it’s pretty common to see women taking on the role of child-rearing champs. Women are often seen as having this incredible knack and sense of responsibility when it comes to parenting. And guess what? This isn’t just a human thing – it’s the same in the animal kingdom.
You know those documentaries and shows about animals? Well, they often show us how in most mammals, it’s the females that do the whole pregnancy, birthing, and baby-caring deal. You’ve got these elephant herds led by wise matriarchs, a lioness guiding her two cubs out for a hunting adventure, and even bears being all about momma bears raising their young. It’s like you don’t see much of a dad figure around in these animal tales, right? But here’s the thing – in certain species, it’s the dads that take charge of parenting duties.
While these dad qualities pop up in males across various animal species, some super dads stand out for going that extra mile for their little ones. Just like their human counterparts, these animal dads are ready to do whatever it takes to raise and care for their kiddos.
Golden Jackal
The Golden Jackal, also known as the Asian Jackal, is a small canine creature found in the regions of Asia. In the family structure of the Golden Jackal, it’s usually the mother who gives birth to the pups, but then it’s the father’s role to take care of and raise them. This behavior is relatively unusual for canines, as most members of the canine family are typically cared for by the mother.
The dad jackal provides food, protection, and education for the pups, ensuring their health and survival. This phenomenon is known as an “unconventional parenting pattern” in the animal kingdom. The Golden Jackal isn’t just a responsible father; it’s also a great partner. These scavengers originate from India and are incredibly loyal, as they mate for life. Even their strength comes from their unity: these foragers are three times more efficient at hunting when working in pairs. When their female partners are ready to give birth, the males dig birthing dens to ensure the safety of the family. Once the babies are born, the dads feed their youngsters with regurgitated food!
Flamingos
Flamingos typically nest and breed in shallow-water wetland areas. The female flamingo is responsible for building the nest in the mud, while the male establishes a defensive boundary to protect the nest and territory. The female lays eggs in the nest. Once the chicks hatch, both parents take part in caring for and feeding them.
Flamingos also exhibit the trait of lifelong monogamy. While they gather in flocks, their loyalty to their partners is impressive. After the flamingo chicks hatch, even the fathers produce a unique “milk,” not from mammals but secreted from the enlarged portion of the esophagus called the crop. This “milk” is rich in fat and protein and is used to feed young chicks.
Frogs
Prominent fatherly figures are not uncommon in the world of frogs, as male involvement in parenting is a common phenomenon among these amphibians. Some frogs, like the South American Darwin’s frog, use their mouths to protect their precious eggs and tadpoles, carefully sheltering these little treasures within their vocal sacs to ensure the safety of future generations. On the other hand, certain frogs, such as Oreophryne frogs, tightly embrace their offspring. This not only prevents the young ones from drying out too soon but also effectively shields them from insect threats.
Father glass frogs take a firm stand in keeping predators at bay. In addition to these examples, there are many other astonishing paternal behaviors in the frog world. Some frogs personally dig pools of water to create a haven for their offspring. And then there are the brave fathers who take on the responsibility of escorting their offspring, a not-so-uncommon behavior in this fantastical animal kingdom.
Emperor Penguin
The Emperor Penguin stands out as one of the notable examples where fathers take on the role of child-rearing. These penguins inhabit the extremely frigid regions of Antarctica. During their breeding process, the female penguin lays a single egg and entrusts it to the male penguin for incubation. The female then embarks on a solitary journey to the ocean in search of food, a round trip that can last up to two months.
Throughout the entire incubation period, the male penguin tirelessly protects and nurtures the egg, cradling it against his warmth to keep it cozy. This incubation period can stretch for several months, during which the male penguin endures the harsh cold of the environment. Once the egg hatches, the male penguin continues to shelter the newly hatched chick under his warmth, providing sustenance. However, by this time, the male Emperor Penguin has gone without food for over two months.
Seahorses
Seahorse dads break all the rules, surpassing all other species in the realm of parenting. The seahorse is the only known species where the males give birth to offspring. The mother seahorse deposits thousands of eggs into the father’s brood pouch, where they are fertilized and incubated for about 45 days. Contractions follow, after which the father gives birth to 1,000 to 2,000 tiny seahorse babies. In addition to shouldering the pregnancy duty, male seahorses practice monogamy, making them perhaps the most exemplary fathers and husbands in the animal kingdom.
