Long-term couples know some of the biggest relationship stressors can be found in the day-to-day activities of life. Checking off items on the to-do list can feel overwhelming and far from romantic. But having a partner willing to share necessary tasks makes for a supportive and functional relationship.
Sure, flowers, dinners out, or gifts are appreciated gestures, but unloading the dishwasher, picking up groceries, or running a load of laundry? Swoon! In a world where we are all trying to survive, maybe that is romance.
While monogamous relationships are seen in wildlife, they are not that common, especially in mammals. We do see monogamy in several local bird species, like swans, geese, eagles, owls, and doves. However, DuPage County has a few devoted mammalian couples.
Rodents
The reproductive strategy for most rodents is to try to have as many offspring as possible. Most males are prolific breeders that mate with several females but are absent from raising young. Male prairie voles are an interesting exception.
Scientists discovered that prairie vole brains have more receptors of the hormones used in pair-bonding — oxytocin and vasopressin — in the location of the brain that causes them to create more intense connections. However, all mammals have these hormones, so there’s mystery as to why prairie voles evolved this way. They have ample opportunities for extra-pair mating as they live in large, connected colonies, but they prefer spending time with their chosen mates. Prairie vole couples work together to defend their territories from outsiders and share nest-building, feeding, and pup-rearing duties.
Beavers are another example of rodents that stay true to their mates. With all the busy work of building dams and lodges, dragging leafy vegetation and branches to underwater “fridges” to store for winter, and raising kits, it’s helpful to have a P.I.C., or partner in chewing. Beavers, like many couples, prepare for their future together by remodeling or restoring their homes, knowing that one day the dams they build will be the foundation of their dream pond.
Canines
Both of our local wild canines, coyotes and red foxes, mate for life. Males offer protection, reinforce territories, bring food back to their den-ridden mates, and teach their young life skills. Couples even howl and yip to express their affirmation to one another.
These exclusive pairings result in larger litters with more surviving offspring, but social monogamy doesn’t guarantee genetic monogamy. Although couples stay together, mating sometimes occurs outside the pair. From an evolutionary standpoint, that makes sense. Having one’s genes in multiple locations increases the odds some will endure. But researchers studying the genetics of canine pups and fox kits made an interesting local find.
Local coyotes are monogamous and share in the responsibilities of raising pups.
The Urban Coyote Research Project has been studying coyotes in Cook County, Illinois, for 26 years. As revealed in its book, Coyotes Among Us, the group discovered 100% genetic monogamy among coyotes, meaning no cheating within these canine couples. Red foxes were not as loyal: 40% to 80% of their kits were of mixed parentage. The reason coyotes don’t stray is unknown (the dating pool is certainly large enough), but these findings suggest strong bonds hold coyotes’ relationships together.
Bonds that Last
There is just one day in February set aside to celebrate romance, yet we know that one day isn’t enough to fully appreciate a strong relationship. What many really want, humans and wildlife alike, is a partner that shows up day after day, season after season.
Expressions of romance can take many different forms. Our local wildlife illustrates this in a variety of ways — flashy plumage to catch another’s eye, beautiful songs, gifts of nesting material or favorite foods, and demonstrations of fitness — but many wild pairings keep it more practical by sharing in the mundane tasks of everyday life. Because what’s more romantic than a partner that goes all in with you? Having each other’s back and teaming up to take on life's struggles together is the formula for a lasting romance.
Featured image courtesy Aline/stock.adobe.com.
Stephanie Touzalin
