On my mind is monogamy, which means bonding and mating with a single partner.
This is inspired by Kirk’s Dik-diks (Madoqua kirkii), which are one of the four species of Dik-dik antelopes and are native to East Africa; they can occasionally be seen in the bushes as one approaches Lake Bogoria and in Lake Nakuru National Park.
Dik-diks, generally, are not only the smallest antelopes, but they also constitute part of the less than three percent of wild mammals that form monogamous relationships within defined territories.
Normally, antelope families walk in large groups. Majorly for protection, even though the female to male ratio is a little big. The stronger the male, the more the females.
But in the case of these oddly-named African antelopes, they pair up to reproduce one offspring at a time.
They stay together as couples for life; and male Dik-diks stay loyal to their female partners, even in the face of temptation; *because humans have attempted to tempt them in experimental settings*.
Once their offspring become adults, they are sent away by the parents out of their territory to go pair up and start a new home. Older offspring are also kicked out once an additional offspring is born.
The bond between the parents is so deep that if one of the couple members dies, the remaining one becomes suicidal; the mourning is real.
It might decide to starve itself to death; it can even surrender to a predator due to loneliness.
It portrays the “till death do us part” attitude beautifully.
If it decides not to kill itself, it can only have a homosexual relationship with another widowed or widowered Dik-dik.