(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- This is Valentine's Week and love is in the air, even at the Brookfield Zoo.
It’s chock-full of animal couples. Animal relationships revolve around the ability to procreate and produce offspring, says Tim Snyder, Vice President of Operations and Programs.
Some animal species have the same mate for years. Penguins tend to stick together the longest, Snyder said.
Gorillas at Tropic World live in groups that consist of the male, multiple female partners, and their offspring. When the male gets too old to defend the group, a younger male moves in, he said.
While some animal species have multiple partners, Snyder added they have a shared sense of responsibility. He used naked mole rats as an example.
"One female does all the reproduction. Everybody kind of services her. They make sure the offspring are raised, they make sure the food is there and the tunnels are clean. But it's one female doing all of the work," Snyder said.
He points to one insect species where reproduction is hazardous to the health of participants.
"The Praying Mantis is one that will do that. The male will mate with the female, and when he's done his business she will turn around and make lunch out of him," Snyder said.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok