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If you think that being romantic is a trait only humans have, then you’re sorely mistaken. Nature is full of animals whose romantic behavior can put humans to shame. Bonding for life, singing to each other and holding hands are just some of the incredible things these wild lovers do. |
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1. Sea Otters |
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When otters mate, they become nearly inseparable – they will eat, sleep and rest together. They do that while floating on their backs, holding hands. These fuzzy lovers do that so they don’t float away during those times. |
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2. Bonobo Chimps |
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Bonobos are one of the few animal species that engage in face-to-face coitus. The couple will also spend time grooming each other, as well as kissing, hugging and cuddling. |
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3. Black Vultures |
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Another animal that mates for life is the black vulture. Both partners will incubate the eggs, alternating every day. They are also jealous lovers – attacking other vultures who try to attract their mates. |
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4. Great Hornbills |
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A Hornbill couple spends their courting period singing songs to each other. Once the female lays her eggs, she remains in the nest for two months, as the male gathers food and brings it to her. Such devotion! |
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5. Alligators |
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When you think of alligators, love is usually not the first (or 10th) thing you think about. Surprisingly, these giant reptiles are quite romantic – when it’s time to get frisky, the male will start rubbing the female’s back and tickle her face with water bubbles while swimming around her in circles. |
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6. Butterfly Fish |
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Butterfly fish are solitary, living alone until they find that perfect someone. Once they do – they bond, they hunt, mate and swim together for life. Amazingly, if the two become separated, they will risk swimming to the top of the reef to find each other! |
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7. Elephants |
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When elephants are in love, they entwine their trunks and often caress each other’s back and head, particularly when they’re sad. Such gentle giants… |
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8. Shingleback Skinks |
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A male skink will follow his potential mate for months, licking and nudging the female to show interest. If the female is interested, the couple will bond and look for each other during mating season for nearly 20 years. When a skink dies, the partner often stays by their side for days, trying to wake them up by nudging them. |
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9. Seahorses |
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Seahorse couples have a special ritual that they perform each morning – it is a unique dance that sometimes even involves changing colors. The couple will dance together for several minutes, before separating for the rest of the day. The reason for the dance is to affirm their bond, as well as synchronize their reproductive cycles. |
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10. Manakins |
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The colorful Manakin has one of the most unique mating dances in the world. Some people speculate that Michael Jackson based his famous moonwalking on the Manakin's dance… |
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11. Bower Birds |
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Bower birds have one of the most fascinating and unique courtship ceremonies: The male will build a nest of twigs and grass, then search around his territory for blue and shiny objects, specifically, and arrange them in order around the nest as decorations. If the female is impressed by the nest, they will mate. |
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12. Lovebirds |
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Lovebirds choose their partners when they are two months old. After that, they will become virtually inseparable, cuddling together whenever they can. So adorable! |
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13. Albatross |
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Albatross reach sexual maturity only after 10 years. During that time, they learn the intricate courtship rituals from the mature members of the rookery. They take several years to select a mate, and then mate for life. From that point on, whenever breeding season arrives they will return to the same spot and the same partner. |
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14. Gentoo Penguins |
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When a Gentoo gentleman courts a lady, he will search the entire beach until he finds the smoothest pebble he can find, and then present it to the lady. If the female accepts the rock, the couple mates for life. (Sounds familiar?) |
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15. Sandhill Cranes |
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During mating season, the Sandhill cranes will stand close together and sing songs in synchronized unison. H/T: distractify.com |
