In certain strata of society, a stereotype has formed that caring for children does not belong to the duties of a father, because it is not a man's business to change diapers for babies or sing lullabies. They have many other "more important" things to do, so such "little things" fall mainly on the shoulders of the mother. And what is the role of the pope in the animal kingdom?
Winged dads
The undisputed champions of responsible parenting are birds. In 85% of all their species, the daddy shares family chores with the mother. Usually the mother incubates the clutch and protects the nest, while the father builds it, obtains food and feeds the female and brood. But there are some interesting exceptions. About 1% of birds are single parents. The most famous examples are the emus and cassowaries. The father in these species incubates the clutch on his own for about 60 days, and then takes care of the little chicks for a long time.
Not the most unique father among birds is the emperor penguin. Having laid a single egg, the female leaves it on the male for several weeks, and she goes to the ocean to rest and eat. All this time, the penguin father holds the egg on his paws, warming it under the fold of skin on his stomach. He does not eat, does not move and endures the wind and 30-degree frost until his mother returns.
The male of pink flamingos shares all the care for the offspring with the female equally. Together they build a nest, incubate eggs and feed both small chicks from the beak with a special "milk".
Males of some woodpeckers and black terns "replace" females in the clutch at night, when predators become more active, and in small water birds, northern yakans, one mother has several males and several nests. While the large and aggressive female zealously defends the territory, each of the fathers takes care of the nest and feeds the babies.
What about mammals, which we humans belong to?
Some of the most caring parents are representatives of the canine family. The male red fox not only hunts and provides food for his wife and children, but when the cubs grow up, he teaches them to hunt. To do this, he brings them half-dead prey to finish off, and also bury food so that children learn to look for it by smell. Wolves do the same. And jackals and African wild dogs feed the cubs with their own half-digested food, until the tender stomachs of the little ones are able to cope with the rough meat, bones and veins.
But the best parents are, without a doubt, our closest relatives - monkeys.
Tiny, funny golden tamarins and some marmosets, a little larger than the palm of your hand, showcase exemplary parenting. The birth of a small monkey is difficult, after which the female needs rest. The whole burden of responsibility for the child falls literally on the shoulders of the father. It is there that the male carries the baby all the time and gives it to the mother only for feeding with milk. Subsequently, he begins to feed the cub with soft fruits, protects, caresses and teaches for months until the little monkey grows up.
Great apes are also caring parents. The mighty male mountain gorilla not only protects his children and the entire family group, he willingly plays with his offspring.
The birth of a small monkey is difficult, after which the female needs rest. The whole burden of responsibility for the child falls literally on the shoulders of the father.
And in chimpanzees, it is mainly the mother who takes care of the babies. However, this is the only species in which lonely males can adopt other people's cubs after their parents died at the hands of hunters, in "wars" between groups, from some predators or diseases. Why and how a male chimpanzee makes the decision to adopt is not known for certain. However, in the harsh conditions of the wild, such an initiative can cost him dearly. After all, the baby requires resources and attention and significantly reduces the father's chances of survival and advancement on the "career ladder". The cub must be taught, fed and protected, which is quite difficult to do alone, without having a number of "aunts" and "grandmothers", whose support is usually enjoyed by mothers who live in groups while the males compete for power. For example, adoption by males is rare among chimpanzees, but this is a real family heroism.
So who is the best animal father?
Chimpanzees deserve this title most of all. However, we - humans - have a lot to learn from other animals as well!
