There are tons of great dads in the animal kingdom, and we think they definitely deserve some credit. These proud papas are all about dedication – and they’re pretty adorable, too.
Keep reading to discover some of our favorite fathers of the animal world!
Seahorse dads give the gift of life
Male seahorses are among the most famous fathers in the animal kingdom, and for good reason – they actually become pregnant and give birth! They also stick around after their offspring is born and will mate for life with their partners. If any animal deserves the “Father of the Year” award, it’s these guys.
Emperor penguins put their dad bods to good use
It’s hard to top emperor penguins in terms of dedication. After their female partners lay eggs, father penguins carefully keep their eggs warm under their bellies while the mothers goes off on a two-month feed. That’s right, they’re stuck warming their eggs for two entire months – no moving, no eating. Oh, and did we mention this all takes place in Antarctica, the coldest place on earth?
Gorillas are the ultimate protectors
Did you know gorillas eat up to 50 pounds of food per day? Gorilla dads are responsible for finding that food for up to 30 members of their clan! When they’re not foraging for food, they also have to protect their young from rival males. Plus, gorilla dads do all this while being respectful to their female partners. Honestly, they’re total #dadgoals.
Red foxes teach the best life lessons
Red fox fathers are known for their commitment to training their pups – after all, knowledge is power. These dads bury food near their dens, giving their pups a crash-course on how to locate that food and watch out for predators. We love a dad who sets up his kids for success!
Golden lion tamarins support their whole family
These adorable monkeys give their young 24/7 piggyback rides for six or seven weeks after they’re born! Why? Papa tamarins want to give their partners a chance to recuperate after giving birth. The fact that these drawn-out piggyback rides make for excellent photos is just an added bonus!
Learn about more of our favourite animals:
- 5 of our favorite mamas in the animal kingdom
- Yess!! These 12 animals are no longer on the endangered species list
- 4 amazing things you don’t know about sparrows
- Love rabbits? Then these 3 facts will make you obsessed!
- 4 very cool reasons to love (and protect) sea turtles
- These 7 facts will make you fall in love with pigs instantly
- 6 reasons we love squirrels (and you should too!)
