It’s February which means it’s Valentine’s season and time to celebrate a bit of L.O.V.E! Whilst most of us will be buying flowers and cooking a romantic dinner for two on the 14^th, here at Pangea we are just as interested in how our animal friends express love out in the wild. Research carried out over a number of years has detailed some of the typical behaviours performed by animals to show that they care.

Empathetic Elephants
Elephants are very empathetic creatures. Aware of any struggles or suffering faced by fellow herd members, they are known to actively assist and comfort them in their distress. To console a loved one, elephants use their trunk to caress the heads and backs of others, sometimes even placing their trunk into another elephant’s mouth. This replicates the behaviour of calves who perform this gesture when seeking assurance from their mother. Body language and touch are really important for elephants who are constantly seen flapping their ears and rubbing bodies in order to demonstrate kindness towards one another and reinforce their bonds within the herd.

Affectionate Apes
It may seem odd at first, but apes tend to groom each other as a means for showing fondness and compassion as well as showing that they know their place within the group hierarchy. Apes sit in pairs to enable one to carefully clean and groom the other’s coat, removing any impurities such as tics or dirt. It is through this activity that the apes simultaneously bond with each other and improve relationships. After a conflict between two apes, it is characteristic for them to make a truce with each other through this form of social grooming as it re-establishes their connection.

Loving Lions
Lions will show affection by nuzzling and rubbing their heads together or curling their tails together, much like you will see domestic cats doing. They also like to lounge around together at the hottest part of the day resting between periods of hunting for food and then engage in social behaviours in the cooler part of the day, licking each other’s faces, grooming and purring. This affectionate behaviour between individual lions is thought to foster bonds between members of the family group and strengthen the pride as a whole.
 
Why not take inspiration from the animal kingdom this Valentine’s Day and get your partner a beautiful sculpture instead of your usual gift. Spend a romantic evening admiring the long eyelashes of the giraffe sculptures or the quirky character of the little warthogs. Take time to enjoy each other’s company and feel the love – Happy Valentine’s Day!