Just like human families are varied, there are all different types of family groups throughout the animal kingdom. Some flocks or prides or charms (ladybugs), or towers (giraffes) have a clear leader; some keep all members together, while other creatures (jaguars, cassowaries, and others) prefer a solitary life.
Here are some amazing animal daddies!!!!
Golden Lion Tamarin - "By two weeks old, golden lion tamarin infants are carried on their father’s back nearly 24/7. Dad hands them over to their mother one at a time every two to three hours, then she nurses the baby for around 15 minutes and hands it back to its father. The infants will ride on the father’s back until they are six to seven weeks old."
If you haven't ever seen a baby golden lion tamarin, I hope this photo makes your heart happy.
Rooster - Roosters are extremely protective of their families (and friends) and will risk or sacrifice themselves to keep their mate and chicks safe. See more in Tracy Stewart's book Do Unto Animals.
Gorillas - You may be familiar with the striking image of a silver-back gorilla. Not only do they protect and defend their troop, but they also lead them to prime food locations, and are regularly seen playing with the little ones. Well, maybe it's more accurate to say that they let the little ones use them as a jungle gym?
Sandgrouse - Yes, a lot of daddies in the animal kingdom help protect their babies. But, the sandgrouse does something unique and amazing. Sandgrouses live in a dry climate and like all animals, they need water to survive. A daddy sandgrouse will fly MILES to find water. He soaks in the water and his feathers hold water which he carries back to his chicks.
Thank goodness for daddies!!!!
Cassowary - Often, if you see an image of this magnificent bird, there will be a warning about how it is deadly and yes, they are huge birds with sharp feet, who appreciate their solitary lifestyles, so leave them be. BUT, the fathers are pretty special, and the eggs are beautiful and... they are endangered, so let's be nice to cassowaries!
After the egg is laid, the father cares for the egg until hatching and raises the chick.
Southern Cassowaries ‘Sammy’ & ‘Peanut’ © Robert Tidey
Emperor Penguins - Probably one of the more famous daddy roles in the animal kingdom is the emperor penguin. The daddy holds the egg on his feet, covered with the fluff of his brood pouch for up to two months. During this time, the mother is off, feeding and the father's warmth keeps the baby chick alive, and growing! Even once hatched, babies still sometimes ride on daddy's feet - for fun and warmth, I guess!!!!
If you are interested in more animal daddy info, check out Eric Carle's book, Mr. Seahorse that shows a number of species in the ocean that have special daddies.
However families are, they can be special and each family group is unique. Check out And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson that tells of the real-life family of two daddy penguins and an adopted chick. Or consider the complex family relationships of honeybees, meerkats, naked mole rats or ants... However your family is, I hope you share love! That's what makes a family.
Thank you for honoring animal daddies with this wonderful post. I was blown away by the beautiful picture of the Golden Lion Tamarin--how sweet and amazing. I was also really impressed by the daddy Sandgrouse's ability to store water in his feathers; and the video of the Sandgrouse was really cool. And the baby penguin going for a ride on his daddy's feet was simply precious. Thank you for warming my heart with this information about animal daddies, and for caring so much about all animals--your love of animals truly makes the world a better place!