Animal-People Are Just Like Us: Part 9 of a Multi-part Series (Father’s Day Special)

It is a time to spoil our awesome dads. With golden lion tamarinds, it really does take a village to raise a baby. And nobody takes more of a role than the father, because he’s the one that grooms, plays with, and carries his kid around. Owl monkeys also have the father as the de facto parent, with the mom only carrying around the infant for the first week.

The male rhea will build a nest. The females lay their eggs in his nest, and then skedaddle — like for good. Leaving him to raise and defend all 30 or so chicks— until they’re about 6 months old. The smooth guardian frog, flexes his parental prowess by being the one to stay with the eggs and guard them after his mate lays them into the ground.

The Namaqua sand grouse shows more devotion. Living in the arid regions of southwest Africa, the Namaqua sand grouse must keep its chicks well hydrated. Each feather can absorb 15 to 20 times its own weight in water, allowing one male to carry up to 40 milliliters.

Dads of some species of the bird world help build nests, incubate eggs, provide meals for their young and protect nests. In about 90 percent of birds species, fathers stay around to help and even train their young for an independent life. A robin might make 100 feeding visits to its nest each day.

They go everywhere together and the love he has for Sammi is so heartwarming! This chicken takes road trips with her dad every weekend. “I never thought I would feel about a chicken the way you would your dog. I will talk to her and she will talk right back, almost like we’re having a conversation.” Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing dads out there!