Animal Valentines Along the Platte River

Happy Valentine's Day! Did you know many animals that live in Colorado are monogamous? In honor of Valentine's Day, discover some of these adorable animal pairs.

Sandhill Cranes         
Sandhill cranes are the ultimate in relationship goals - they stay together for years. To keep this bond, sandhill cranes perform courtship displays, remaining in close proximity to each other and calling in unison. Sandhill cranes prefer to breed on tundra, in marshes, and on grasslands. Here’s a link to see a Sandhill Crane’s mating dance!

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Beavers
Beavers are the perfect parents. They co-parent their young and stay together until one partner dies. Beavers do everything together, and they maintain their relationship as well as their dams or lodges. Only three percent of mammals are monogamous, but leave it to the beavers to build a perfect, loving family. 

Bald Eagles
Bald Eagles are a very mature species but are also sentimental. When they are ready to mate, they will often go back to the place they were born in. They usually are mates for life but if one of the mates dies or disappears then the surviving mate will find a new one. The bald eagle courtship involves a flight show and calls. The flight includes swoops, chases, and cartwheels, in which they fly high, lock talons, and free fall, separating just before hitting the ground. The bald eagle sure knows how to show off for their mate! Here’s a link to the Bald Eagle’s wild mating ritual that happens in the air!

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​Coyotes
Coyotes are very protective of each other- especially when mating. Mated male coyotes tend to the females who give birth to the annual litter in an underground den. The males don’t leave the den until the pups have opened their eyes. Then the males will go out and find food for the mother and pups. So don’t interact with the pups or else…