As of: March 8, 2024, 8:35 a.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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They swear loyalty to each other – for a lifetime.
No, we're not talking about people here, but rather about 14 animal species that are monogamous and faithfully accompany their partners throughout their lives.
1 / 14Up to 20 animals live in the groups that form giant otters.
However, only one monogamous couple gives birth to otter children, who are then raised together by the group.
If one of the two partners dies, it affects the entire group - it breaks up.
This is due to the otters' monogamous lifestyle, which remains loyal to one another even after death.
In the tropical rainforests of South America, this characteristic, among other things, almost led to the extinction of giant otters.
(Symbolic image) © Panthermedia/Imago
2 / 14Meerkats also live together in cooperative groups.
A monogamous couple ensures survival.
As social animals, meerkats work closely together to defend their territory and raise their offspring.
The handling of other people's children is somewhat unromantic: the dominant couple does not tolerate them and does not shy away from killing them.
© imagebroker/Imago
3 / 14 “Lifelong” also applies to parrots.
They fall in love with each other based on taste, character and personality.
Once the decision has been made, the pact is valid for the rest of their lives - and that's not all that short.
With a life expectancy of up to 100 years, parrots can even live longer than humans.
But there are also rumors about brazen cheaters in the kingdom of colorful birds.
Male parrots are considered to be particularly sensitive in romantic relationships: they mourn a lost love their whole life.
In addition, parrots, along with dolphins and humans, are among the only creatures that invent individual names and use them to call members of their own species.
This also benefits the offspring in the parrot kindergartens, where they are delivered during the day.
In order to find their children again after kindergarten ends, parrots call them by their names.
(Symbolic image) © McPHOTO/Imago
4 / 14Eternal love exists even in the realm of wild animals, because monogamy also exists among wolves.
A pair of wolves stays together for life and looks after their offspring within a pack.
The older animals in the socially organized group then help with the rearing.
© alimdi/Imago
5 / 14The black-backed jackal is a wild dog and lives in the African savannah.
Despite their wild origins, the animals are real romantics: Black-backed jackals live monogamously, with - similar to wolves - only one pair per pack producing offspring.
© blickwinkel/Imago
6 / 14Most penguin species choose their partners for life.
Although they have a long-distance relationship almost all year round, when they meet to mate, the two lovers cannot be held back: the male awaits his lover at the shared nest year after year.
However, if she doesn't show up, the heartbreak doesn't last long - and the spurned man quickly looks for a new wife.
If his long-term partner arrives late, the affair will be left behind and will be dumped.
However, if the raising of the chicks does not go smoothly, there is often a final divorce.
(Symbolic image) © agefotostock/Imago
7 / 14Not exactly an animal you would think of when talking about monogamy: the cockroach.
Some of the cockroaches are surprisingly monogamous until the end of their lives - which is usually over after less than a year.
© Pond5/Imago
8 / 14 Storks not only bring children to people, they are also impeccable parents themselves.
They also live largely monogamous lives.
When they return to Europe in spring, the same nest is occupied every year.
The male is usually there first, renovates the nest and awaits his wife.
When she finally arrives, the greeting takes place with a clattering ceremony in which both of them throw their heads back.
However, if a female stork gets ahead of herself and seduces her husband or if one of the two partners dies, storks start looking for companions for life again.
© imagebroker/Imago
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9 / 14Beavers also live in loyal partnerships.
Only when one of the partners dies does the widowed partner look for a new love.
Until then, the large rodents can be found in a family group, consisting of father, mother and children up to two years old.
If there is enough space, sexually mature family members will stay in the neighborhood after moving out of the nursery.
© imagebroker/Imago
10 / 14From the age of three or four, swans commit to one partner after a period of free time and stay together for life.
Once a husband and wife have bred together, it is equivalent to a marriage: from now on the couple lives in absolute monogamy.
Single people are also catered for: single men from the mute swans family don't like being alone and therefore live in bachelor groups.
© Pond5/Imago
11 / 14In 2014, the German Primate Center was able to report something astonishing about night monkeys: “We are the first to be able to demonstrate real loyalty in monkeys.
“There are only four studies on mammals that show genetic monogamy,” said biologist Maren Huck.
According to this, night monkeys would live strictly monogamous lives.
The males are also caring fathers: “If the father can be sure that the offspring carry his genes, then it is worth investing a lot in raising the young,” says Huck.
© robertharding/Imago
12 / 14Seahorses also usually have monogamous relationships.
They often hold each other by their tails and perform an extremely elegant morning dance.
Although one or two infidelities have been observed in zoos, researchers assume absolute loyalty in freedom in the sea.
What is also exciting is that in this relationship the males give birth to the offspring.
© Pond5/Imago
13 / 14A monogamous relationship among albatrosses can last a full 20 years.
This may also be due to the fact that the partners only see each other once a year.
They only meet during the breeding season, perform an affectionate greeting ritual and are literally outlaws the rest of the time.
During their engagement period, albatrosses are celibate: they only mate for the first time after a few years.
According to researchers, this could promote a closer and more reliable bond.
© Pond5/Imago
14 / 14 Badgers do not live strictly monogamous lives, but females and males often stay together their entire lives.
Together with their young, badgers form solid family groups and create huge underground castles with several hundred chambers and corridors.
© blickwinkel/Imago
Even among animals there is loyalty until death.
14 different animal species prove that even monogamous relationships contain eternal happiness.
Find out who stays true to themselves throughout their lives, sometimes even after death, in our photo gallery.
Love stops time and allows eternity to begin.
Chuck Spezzano, American bestselling author with a doctorate in psychology