[Animals] Do animals fall in love too?

[#Wittels-]

Beyond reproduction, all living beings do not experience the chemistry of love in the same way

Love, seen from a crude and scientific point of view, not so romantic, is not exclusive to the human species but rather animals can feel it in their own way (REUTERS)
If we understand by falling in love the search for another individual to perpetuate the species, we must understand that this as a premise is present in all animals with reproductive capacity.

If this is falling in love, that is, coldly defined as a choice and a preference, the big question is: why do we fall in love? And above all, what attracts us to the other and what is that process like?

We are attracted to other individuals and this is caused by the action of substances called neurotransmitters that, in the brain, cause this reaction both in humans and in some animals, in which it has been reliably proven. Another clear question would be: why and why do we fall in love?

Although the purpose of these complex and wonderful chemical processes, which take place in the brain and which humans baptize love, is very unromantic and glamorous, it is none other than the reproduction and survival of the species.

In animal nature what really counts are the results and not the romanticism and this procedure by the repeated mechanism of trial and error, of which we ourselves are the successful result.

There are three distinct phases in the process of falling in love, both human and animal (REUTERS)
Animals are not spared either from the effects of the neurotransmitters guilty of falling in love, that is, they fall in love, but with infinite nuances.

Birds and mammals are the two groups of species that create the most bonds without necessarily having an immediate and visible reproductive purpose involved.

In primates, alliances and friendship relationships are often observed, there are even species and sometimes individuals there are animals that choose monogamy, such as swans, wolves or gibbons. The champions of monogamy are the birds that have a high percentage of species that derive loving bonds for life.

Other well-known monogamies include prairie dogs, who have been found not only to kiss and fondle each other profusely, but to do so for longer when someone is looking at them. However, between amphibians and reptiles there are no permanent loving bonds or stable couples. The lack of romance is supplemented by greater reproductive success.

The champions of monogamy are the birds that have a high percentage of species that derive loving bonds for life (AP)
There are three distinct phases in the falling in love process, both human and animal. In the first phase we release some pheromones that make us feel attraction to the other individual, from that first moment of the crush, love is already pure, it plays with our brains.

In the second phase, dopamine comes into action, which is a neurotransmitter that generates a sensation of reward, provides us with energy and takes us into a state of euphoria. This phase has a variable duration depending on the species, but among humans it lasts around three years. That time serves to maintain contact long enough for breeding to be successful. Nothing romantic, by the way, but very real.

Endorphins star in the third stage of love. These substances provide a feeling of well-being that allows you to maintain a lasting relationship, even for life. They are a mixture of peace, tranquility and future security. Not all animals comply with this stage, since in many cases the male leaves the relationship once procreation has occurred and the reverse also occurs.

Love, seen from a crude and scientific point of view, not so romantic, is not exclusive to the human species, but animals can feel it in their own way.

 

Link: https://www.infobae.com/america/perrosygatos/2021/11/20/los-animales-tambien-se-enamoran/