Written by Andrea McFeeley
So I tried, I really did. As a nod toward Father’s Day, I wanted to find great dog and cat dads to tell you about, but it seems once the puppies or kittens are born, the dad’s job is pretty much over. I did, however, find some excellent non-human dads to tell you about. Most of these facts come from National Geographic. These are just a few; the animal world is so fascinating!
- The Red Fox: Tough Love Dad
The fox dad’s job is to provide food to the family for the first month or so. When the pups are about three months old, their free lunch days are over. Dad fox teaches them to hunt by hiding food. He buries it in dirt, twigs, and leaves so that they can practice sniffing it out and feeding themselves.
2. Barking Frog: Awesome Amphibian Dad
This frog’s father role isn’t glamorous, but somebody has to do it. His contribution to parenting is to stay near the eggs until they hatch, frequently having to wet them down with urine to keep them wet.
3. Phalarope: A Do It All Dad
The phalarope—a shorebird that resembles a sandpiper—is a hands-on dad. He makes the nest, incubates the eggs, and cares for the young.
4. Jacana: Teamwork Makes The Dad’s Dreamwork
During nesting season, it takes a village! The female jacana, a long-legged wading bird, will guard her territory against intruders. At the same time, her harem of males handles the domestic tasks: sometimes, as many as four males are working simultaneously to build nests and care for eggs.
5. Seahorse: If This Dad Wants It Done, He Does It Himself!
Seahorse dads can do it all; they carry the eggs, fertilize them, and deliver them! Way to go, seahorse dad!
6. Sea Catfish: Dad With The Biggest Mouth
This guy puts family first. His mouth is a nursery! He swims with his mouth full of marble size eggs. No food for him for at least a month! After his family hatches, he carries them around for a couple more weeks until they can be independent.
7. Giant Water Bug: A Dad With a Strong Back
This dad has 150 or more eggs glued to his back, which are 100 percent his responsibility. He keeps the eggs clean by washing and drying them. He also stops eating before they hatch to avoid accidentally snacking on them. Once they hatch, he kicks the egg pods off his back, then does it all again.
8. Great Horned Owl: Hardest Working Dad
This guy has lots to do. He must bring home enough food for the mom owl, who is 25 percent bigger than he is, and two or three hatchlings. He has to provide food for them for at least a month on his own until the hatchlings are big enough to be left alone. At that point, Mom can help to hunt for the family dinner.
And Who’s the Worst Dad? The Grizzly Bear, he is a true opportunist!
Nobody is wishing this guy a Happy Father’s Day. He will kill his own cubs, as well as anyone else’s. He will hunt any cub in his area. There may be up to half a dozen females raising cubs within the region. Thankfully, the momma bears are not pushovers; they are very protective and ferocious regarding their cubs, no surprise there.