The reproductive instinct in nature usually works in a rather simple way. It all usually comes down to the fact that the male is looking for a female, spinning and spinning in front of her, walking like a goldeneye, or breaking off the horns of evil adversaries (and part-time competitors), shocking the spectators with his power.
When the sweet lady is sufficiently impressed by the exploits of his beloved, he quickly (or not so quickly) impregnates her, after which, waving his hand (or another limb donated by evolution) goodbye, he leaves her, going in search of other pretty and beloved ones. After this, the male no longer remembers his former love, and the fate of the offspring does not bother him at all. However, this does not always happen this way. There are exceptions when males of some species become caring fathers and raise their offspring with enviable patience and diligence.
Some males even bear their offspring (“fathers and mothers”). And in this article we will present to our readers the ten most caring fathers of the animal world.
1. Large water beetle
It is this beetle that is the most caring, one might say, an exemplary mother beetle. He carries his future offspring (which currently exist in the form of testicles) on his back until they reach a certain degree of maturity. But it is not recommended to contact this male. The fact that he is a father-mother does not mean that he is an uncomplaining henpecked man. This beetle can bite very hard and quite painfully.
The most caring animal is the swimming beetle (Dytiscus marginalis).
2. Seahorse
This representative of the aquatic fauna is even more versatile. He gets pregnant and gives birth on his own. In my stomach seahorses there is a special pouch into which the female throws her eggs, fusing them, like a mother cuckoo, into Orphanage. The seahorse will hatch these eggs for about forty-five days. It should be noted that the number of eggs and, accordingly, embryos can reach a thousand, but can be limited to just two. What is characteristic is that he will give birth to them in approximately the same way as a human female, that is, a woman, does - that is, with contractions. This is such a difficult fate.
Unfortunately, at present, the number of these wonderful and unusual sea creatures is steadily declining due to human activity, expressed on the one hand in overfishing for gastronomic purposes and for the manufacture of souvenirs, and on the other hand due to pollution environment.
3. Pike fish
It cannot be said that this fish is one of the beautiful inhabitants of the aquatic expanses, but the males of this particular fish are distinguished by their amazing nepotism. To provide his offspring with suitable conditions for growth, after the female finishes spawning, the male spreads out along the bottom, covering the eggs with his fins. At the same time, it will remain in this position for a long time until the eggs mature. Moreover, no one will risk approaching him when he is in this strange position, since everyone knows that he will not stand on ceremony and will not organize a warm welcome.
4. Toads and frogs
Everyone knows about frogs and toads, but few people know how devoted the males of these two are to their offspring, perhaps the most known species amphibians. Certain species of frogs are represented by males who carry their tadpoles directly in their mouths, which provides them with greater safety. Such miracle fathers refuse food, not accepting it until the tadpoles become capable of independent life. In addition, one of the types of toads - Pouched frog - has special pouches for bearing offspring.
5. Ikana vulgare
All the most important work in the Ikana family is done not by the mother, as is the case with most animals, but by the father. He builds the nest, sits on the eggs and feeds the chicks. Females, on the contrary, lead a wandering, free lifestyle, flying from place to place and attracting numerous males, who, apparently, are only happy to have the opportunity to become a “householder.” However, this is not the end of Ikan nepotism. Ikana fathers who have some experience in raising offspring often help their relatives who do not yet have family experience take care of their children.
6. Arowana
Arowana fathers carry their offspring in their mouths. Many hundreds of fry of this species develop in their father’s mouth, after which the father, with his mouth open, releases them into the open ocean, now to experience life on their own. True, he does not yet provide them with complete freedom and constantly watches them, like a teacher from kindergarten. And if he notices approaching danger, he immediately sucks all his cubs back into their house, that is, into his mouth.
7. Emperor Penguin
Things are not easy for penguins. This is not surprising, given the harsh conditions in which these birds live. In penguins, the female who has laid an egg has an extremely acute need for food, and cannot for a long time to engage in hatching, therefore, immediately after laying an egg, he, in need of food, sets off on a dangerous and long journey towards the ocean, where he can eat plenty of fish and then, with new strength, return to his cub and start feeding it. All this time, her partner remains in place, protecting the egg from the fierce frosts and piercing Antarctic winds. To do this, he performs specific actions, which can most simply be called “covering the egg with the hem of his fur coat.” The male father spends almost the entire winter in this position, eats nothing and practically does not move.
If it happens that dad moves from his place or in some other way makes a mistake that will reduce the amount of heat the egg needs, then the consequences will be sad, and the penguin will die without being born - right in the egg.
Emperor penguin fathers carefully warm and protect the eggs, and after hatching, the little penguins. 8. Nandu (or Rhea)
Rhea is one of those birds that cannot fly and is often called the American ostrich. In fact, it is part of the order Rhea and, despite its truly enormous resemblance to the ostrich, scientists to this day doubt that there is any relationship between them. Their distribution of family roles and responsibilities is approximately the same as that of emperor penguin– the female lays an egg, and the male incubates it. In addition, the father rhea is busy building the nest and incubating the offspring, which will continue for another six weeks.
But his family worries do not end there either. The fact is that each Nandu father contains a whole harem that he must take care of. This harem includes twelve females, who also lay eggs. As a result, it turns out that this bird “sultan” has to hatch about fifty eggs. After the chicks hatch from under the shell, the male also does not lose interest in them and continues to take care of the hatched offspring for about six months without receiving any help from their mothers. Moreover, the male may even attack a female who dares to approach her chicks.
9. Wolf
The male wolf is a formidable animal and has a reputation to match. At the same time, this formidable fighting machine is an exemplary husband and father. The wolf is clearly monogamous and lives together with its offspring for almost its entire life. It can be said that Wolf Pack is a kind of family that includes a mother wolf, a father wolf and their offspring. Of course, there are also newcomers and, so to speak, “younger families,” but the core is the dominant family and its offspring. After the she-wolf gives birth to puppies, she remains in her den, and her wolf-husband brings prey into the house as an exemplary head of the family and, in addition, makes sure that nothing threatens his family.
When the wolf cubs grow up, their father will take full responsibility for their upbringing. He will also be responsible for ensuring that there is true pack unity in the family.
10. Marmoset
Marmosets are perhaps the cutest primates on Earth. Plus they are very small. However, despite their more than modest size, marmoset males take their functions as the head of the family more than seriously. Together with their older brothers and other males of their tribe, father marmosets jointly raise their offspring: they carry them on their backs, feed them and perform other functions, while the mother marmoset leaves her offspring after giving birth.
However, the family talents of the male marmoset are not limited to caring for the offspring. In addition, he carefully and skillfully delivers babies, processes the umbilical cord and cleans the new mother after childbirth. It is very difficult for the tiny female marmoset to neigh, due to the fact that the mature calf weighs about a quarter of herself. Fortunately, her husband knows how difficult and painful it is for his wife.
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Wildlife is amazingly diverse. For example, some representatives of the fauna practically do not care for their babies, while others, on the contrary, are exemplary parents. Some animals, perhaps, should be followed as examples even by people.
White bears
A large and formidable mammal can pose a serious danger to anyone who encroaches on its territory. The greatest threat is the ferocious mother bear, protecting her offspring.
Few people know, but the maternal care of these animals can extend not only to their own babies. Researchers have repeatedly recorded cases of polar bears taking in orphaned babies.
According to statistics, in the first year of this animal’s life, about forty percent of the brood dies, and the remaining sixty remain safe only thanks to their mothers.
Domestic cats
A large number of people cohabit with this feline. Many have noticed that animals are not only good hunters, but also exemplary parents.
Females of this species take an extremely responsible approach to raising kittens. The care does not end even when the kids have already learned to move and eat independently. Domestic cats teach their offspring to hunt, climb trees, and interact with people. It is noteworthy that animals also act extremely menacingly to protect their children.
Wolves
The ancestors of almost all dog breeds are known to be pack animals and strongly attached to their family. Despite the fact that from the first year of life wolves begin to take part in hunting, they continue to be directly dependent on their parents.
It is worth noting that in addition to the mother, the flock also takes an active part in protecting and feeding the cubs. Adult males bring prey and give it to the young until the latter learn to hunt on their own.
Tigers
These representatives of the cat family are also distinguished by their exemplary care for their offspring. Kittens are born blind and helpless, and their weight rarely exceeds 1 kg. Babies are under constant supervision. Kittens feed on milk for up to six months, and up to a year, the mother brings them meat to the den.
Upon reaching the age of two, the young animals begin to go hunting with their parents. There the tigress teaches them to hide, move unnoticed, and even distinguish edible meat from inedible meat. Literally a year later, the younger generation is already beginning to take part in the production of food.
Alligators
Alligators are one of the most caring parents among reptiles. Many representatives of this species not only build large and complex nests for their offspring, but also practically do not leave them after birth.
The latter helps new parents protect their babies and help them break out of their shells. Then the mother collects the cubs in her mouth and takes them to a small pond, which for a while becomes a kind of kindergarten.
It is noteworthy that parents communicate with their babies through special sounds. For example, if a newborn alligator has swum far, then it, like a lost chicken, gives a kind of distress signal. Adults, in turn, warn the young about the approach of strangers so that they hide under water.
Elephants
A herd of elephants is like a perfect community. The largest animals on land are distinguished not only by their affection for their young, but also by their care for other babies and members of the family. In case of danger, adults stand up to protect the young, forming a ring.
If one of the herd members is injured and has difficulty moving, the other two come to the rescue, pressing on either side of the elephant, preventing it from falling.
Orangutan
Among mammals, orangutans have become the most caring parents. According to scientists, average duration The life of individuals is about thirty years, and they spend about a third of their life with their mother.
Surprisingly, representatives of this species even rock their babies to sleep. Upon reaching one year, the cubs begin to be introduced to complementary foods. According to scientists, primates continue to receive mother's milk until they are 8-9 years old. Of course, the phenomenon is episodic in nature - when the fruit season ends, the mother replenishes the supply of vitamins and microelements for the young. During other periods, orangutans feed on their own.
Sulawesi kalao
Mother-heroines are also found among birds. While incubating eggs, representatives of this species hide in a hollow tree to prevent predators from eating the offspring. Moreover, the kalao seals the hole from the inside and stays there for two months. While in a kind of incubator, the bird does not eat or drink anything. Therefore, some of them do not survive to hatch their offspring.
Octopuses
Representatives of cephalopods also risk their lives while raising babies. Unlike kalao, they hatch up to 50 thousand eggs. On average, the maturation period lasts 40 days, during which their mother does not leave the clutch. Octopuses scare away predators and often refuse to eat.
Giant isopod
Despite the unassuming appearance, the birth of offspring is an even more terrible process. The fact is that the structure of these crustaceans does not provide for reproductive organs.
When the baby isopod matures enough inside its mother, it literally chews its way out. Of course, “childbirth” always ends in death adult. Therefore, for a female, pregnancy can only be the first and last in her life.
The animal world is actually not as harsh and cruel as it might seem at first glance. Moreover, animals treat their offspring even better than some representatives of humanity.
January 19, 2012, 14:00Kittens, elephant calves, tiger cubs and many other baby animals can boast that their mother is the best in the world. Of course, everyone also has dads. But it’s hard to say how caring he will be - it depends on your luck. Representatives of the cat family are some of the most caring mothers in the world. They are so dissolved in love for their offspring that they are quite capable of adopting not only other people’s kittens, but also other living creatures. For example, there was a case when a tigress fed piglets, and a cat fed a squirrel. Cats are rare clean people, so the issue of “diapers” is immediately removed: kittens are always licked “to a shine,” warmed and fed. The mother takes care of the babies until about three months old - by this age they become completely independent. 
Another mustachioed and striped mother, the tigress, feeds her cubs with milk for up to six months, despite the fact that small predators eat meat from about two months of age. Then it’s time to learn the wisdom of life. At first, the mother brings fresh meat from the hunt. Then he leads from one prey to another. By the age of two, tiger cubs weigh up to 100 kilograms and, under the guidance of their mother, begin to hunt on their own. The tigress will release her children into independent life well prepared, strong, strong and healthy. What is typical is that she copes with all these worries alone, although “dad” often lives nearby. 
And Putin is a tiger!
Penguins
After the egg is laid, the female emperor penguin very carefully and very carefully delivers it to the father, who hides it in a wide fold of skin under the abdomen and incubates the baby penguin. The female immediately returns to the sea to eat to her heart's content, leaving the male without food for about two months. 
Abandoned fathers gather in large groups to stay warm and work together to withstand the harsh climate of Antarctica, where icy wind speeds can reach 200 km/h. They patiently wait for the females to return. And when the “prodigal” parents finally return, each one unmistakably finds her penguin - focusing on the trumpet call of her male. During one reproductive season, a male mates with only one female, a rare example of monogamy. 
Let Volochkova be jealous!
Elephants It takes a female elephant 22 months to bear the world's largest child. This fact alone evokes endless respect. However, after the birth of the baby, the mother does not say goodbye to the elephant calf, but begins to raise it and literally nurture it. Baby elephants are born completely blind, so they are completely dependent on their mothers. And here’s what’s interesting: in elephant communities, voluntary babysitters are extremely common. That is, a newborn elephant calf, of course, has its own mother. But at the same time, all the female elephants of the herd are his “mothers,” caring for the baby and protecting him from danger, as if it were their “son” or “daughter.” And at this time, the “main mother” can calmly go in search of food in order to provide milk for her not at all small baby. 
Alligators We are accustomed to considering these not very attractive animals to be cold-blooded - literally and figuratively- and are least likely to think that they are characterized by manifestations of tender love and care. However, it is not. By making a nest for herself, the crocodile mother not only prepares to lay eggs, but also “determines” the gender of her future children. For example, a nest made of leaves will be warmer than one made of wet moss, so it will hatch more “boys”. As soon as future mom Having decided on the sex and laid eggs, she takes over the guard: she monitors the temperature, humidity, and drives away overly curious and hungry visitors. When the babies hatch, the mother immediately sends them into her toothy mouth - no, not in order to dine on them, but in order to deliver them to the water. She takes care of them for another year - quite a long time. Especially for crocodiles. 
Female orangutan can become pregnant once every eight years. Therefore, it is not difficult to imagine how carefully her long-awaited cub is cared for. For the first two years of life, babies are completely dependent on their mother. Moreover, for the first four months, physical contact between mother and child is never interrupted - the baby is carried with them everywhere, without leaving him for a minute. Mother and baby sleep only in an embrace, in a nest that a caring parent builds every evening. And even older children try to stay close to their mother - up to the age of five. Moreover, daughters do not leave their mothers longer than sons. In a word, everything is like people’s! 
Who doesn’t bother about the extra pounds gained during pregnancy is polar bears. They know for sure that the main thing is the health of future babies. Therefore, the volume of the bear’s “waist” and weight approximately double. This is not surprising: in the harsh conditions of the Arctic, there is no other way to feed a bear cub, but also to survive yourself. With the onset of cold weather, the expectant mother makes a den for herself, which consists of a tunnel with a narrow entrance and three “rooms”. Having settled in the den, the bear falls into a state of light hibernation. And in the same semi-euphoric state it bears offspring. Perhaps this is the easiest and most enjoyable childbirth - childbirth in a dream. The cubs are born blind and tiny. However, in the spring, by the time they leave the den, thanks to their heroic mother, these buttons eat up to 12 kilograms. And only after eight months of forced starvation will the mother bear and her cubs be able to go to the ice to the sea for real food - fish and fur seals. For the next few years, she takes care of her offspring and teaches them the knowledge necessary for life. But that’s not all - the bear is not averse to “adopting” abandoned or orphaned cubs of others. 
Often people should learn how to care from our little brothers. Animals protect their children and give them love and affection. Let's look at those animals who always do this.
Mother elephants, for example, adopt someone else's child if they see that his mother is not taking good care of him. All female elephants do this, and it deserves respect.
Lions never leave children when they are walking in the first days of life. 
When it’s hot outside, the hippopotamus begins to secrete special protective milk for the baby, which has different properties and is reddish in color. 
Baby squirrels are born small and hairless, so the squirrel creates a “coat” of moss for them during its absence. 
And armadillos can actually “stop” pregnancy for up to 2 years! This happens if conditions are not favorable for childbirth and upbringing. Additionally, armadillos only give birth to babies of one sex. If a female begins to give birth to sons, she will continue to give birth to them until her death. 
Otter babies are born blind. At first, while they are unable to take care of themselves, she catches them fish, feeds them with milk and takes care of them in every possible way. 
Giraffe children are record holders in terms of rapid growth. An hour after birth, the giraffe can already walk, and after 6 hours it feeds on grass and runs around the meadow. 
Female crocodiles can carry their babies in their mouths or on their heads to prevent their fathers from eating them in a fit of hunger. 
The swans create a “house” for small children, in which the little ones ride with their mother.
In a fox family, the male fox always helps raise the small children. He gets food, and the fox sits with the newborns. 
Not all animals, when born, can count on the tender care and love of their mothers. But some of them can justifiably call their mother the most caring in the world. Which animals can you find the best mothers? Which fauna representatives selflessly care for their offspring?
Cat's caress.
The primacy in this ranking is rightfully occupied by mothers of the cat family. They literally dote on their kittens, selflessly dissolving in caring for the babies. At the same time, there are many cases where they tenderly fed representatives of other families, doing this no less devotedly than caring for their own children. There are known cases of a tigress feeding piglets, and a cat feeding a small squirrel.
In one interesting study, German zoologists experimented with a cat raising little chicks! The mother cat looked after them, licked them and put them to sleep, hugging them to her to warm them with her warmth. When, during the experiment, a brood of chickens was attacked by a hawk, the cat, without a second of doubt, rushed to their defense and, even being greatly inferior in “combat power” to the deadly predator, managed to save the helpless babies from inevitable death!
Tigresses are not inferior in their caring to cats. A mother tiger feeds her little tiger cubs with milk for up to six months, even though after two months they are quite capable of eating meat. From the second half of the first year of existence, the tiger mother begins to patiently teach her cubs the wisdom of hunting, without knowledge of which the cubs would simply die in independent life. It is interesting that the entire process of feeding and training lies entirely with the tigress - the tiger dad practically does not take part in this.
Elephant tenderness.
Elephant mothers show no less care for their babies, if elephant calves can be called that. Intrauterine gestation alone is worth it - pregnancy in elephants lasts twenty-two months! And after this, the mother elephant still finds the strength to care for her baby. After all, baby elephants are born blind and are completely dependent on outside help. It is interesting that in a herd of elephants, not only their own mother takes care of the babies, but also any of the females. This allows the baby elephants to be provided with round-the-clock care, giving the mother the opportunity to rest and gain strength.
Caring alligators.
Despite their ferocious appearance and the remarkable strength of their toothy jaws, female alligators are among the most caring mothers in the animal kingdom. Even before laying eggs, the mother alligator carefully selects the place for laying. At the same time, she prepares two different places - one for future girls, and the other for boys, arranging one in a pile of warm leaves, and the other, covering it with cool moss.
After the eggs are laid, the mother takes up a permanent watch, guarding her future children like a vigilant sentry. It is clear that, being under such protection, almost all eggs remain safe and sound. And immediately after the little crocodiles emerge from them, the mother sends them all into her huge mouth! But not at all in order to have breakfast with them, but in order to deliver them to the water. Mom takes care of her children for another whole year!
White bears.
Living in very harsh conditions, polar bears nevertheless show an example of care and concern for their babies. A mother bear, preparing for childbirth, actively gains weight, which almost doubles by the time her offspring appear! And all this just so as not to die from exhaustion after the appearance of little cubs - after all, they need not only to be born, but also to be fed! And this is not a matter of one day.
Before giving birth, the bear makes herself a cozy den in the snow, where she falls into a half-asleep - some semblance of hibernation among her mainland counterparts. In this state, childbirth occurs. Once born, polar bear cubs are completely helpless and need round-the-clock care from their mother. This is where the weight gained comes in handy. A mother bear carefully feeds her cubs for eight months and only after that she takes them out of the den to take them to the water and teach them how to fish.
Over the next few years, the mother bear takes care of her cubs, teaching them all the wisdom of life in harsh Arctic conditions, showing an example of maternal love and care for her offspring.