By Sally Knight

Only about three per cent of mammals are monogamous. And although 95 per cent of birds pair off at least for one breeding season paternity tests have revealed that the even the most loyal are capable of straying.

Swans

Nature’s role models are still at the top of the list as far as loyalty goes. However, they are only sometimes monogamous. Turns out even nature’s sweethearts believe in “it’s complicated”.

Penguins

These famously flightless birds are mostly monogamous, but it depends on the species. Except in the case of death, though the style and situations vary, kind of like picking a dating app by species.

Gibbons

Their love lives aren’t quite the fairytale we thought. Sure, gibbons cuddle up with one partner at night, but daytime might involve a little tree-hopping on the side … or a full-on mate swap.

Prairie vole

Prairie voles (aka prairie dogs) are the furry poster kids for rodent romance. Devoted, snuggly, lifelong partners … unless you’re one of the “wandering males” who skips the parenting and treats monogamy like a suggestion on the packaging.

Black Vultures

Black vultures take monogamy very seriously, so seriously that if one cheats, the others throw a full-blown feathered smackdown. It’s less “till death do us part” and more “cheat and get pecked by the neighbourhood watch”.

Wolves

Alpha males are usually loyal to their chosen mate. Though every now and then they treat monogamy like a New Year’s resolution: solid effort, with a few slip-ups.

Featured image: Two majestic swans represent the ideal of avian monogamy. Photo: Pixabay/CC