According to a recent study by a team of researchers at several universities, male owl monkeys that live in Argentina are among the most devoted fathers and mates in the animal kingdom. They are reportedly the only primate species that are strictly monogamous with their mates.
According to a recent study by a team of researchers at several universities, male Azara's owl monkeys that live in Argentina are among the most devoted fathers and mates in the animal kingdom.
They are reportedly the only primate species that are strictly monogamous with their mates.
Eduardo Fernandez-Duque who led the study is quoted as saying: “The monkeys are in a monogamous relationship, the males are fully committed to caring for the offspring, and when we check the genetics, we have straight monogamy. Every single male studied over 18 years in captivity and in the field has shown devoted care.”
The researchers believe there is a connection between monogamy and intense paternal care for the monkey’s offspring that they know is genetically their own.
In addition, other species have living habits like foraging that allows for opportunities to find mates outside the parental couple while the owl monkeys stay close to one another.
There are only a few species of mammal that are known to be monogamous including the California mouse, the Malagasy giant jumping rat, certain types of coyotes, and a small kind of antelope known as Kirk’s dik-dik.
