What animal is the most monogamous according to the study?

The California deer mouse is the most monogamous animal identified in the study, with 100% of siblings sharing both parents.

How do humans rank in the animal monogamy study?

Humans rank seventh in the monogamy study, with 66% of siblings being full siblings, placing them below several other species.

Which species are considered the most promiscuous?

The Soay sheep is identified as the most promiscuous species, with only 0.6% of lambs being full siblings.

Home / Science / Deer Mice Out-Monogamy Humans: Study

Deer Mice Out-Monogamy Humans: Study

10 Dec

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Summary

California deer mice are the most monogamous, with 100% full siblings.
Humans rank seventh with 66% full siblings, below African wild dogs.
Monogamy in humans is highly unusual compared to other mammals.

Scientists have unveiled a 'monogamy league table,' placing the California deer mouse at the top with a perfect 100% full sibling rate. Humans, in contrast, fall to seventh place with only 66% full siblings, indicating our mating patterns are highly unusual among mammals. This study analyzed sibling relationships across numerous species to gauge levels of monogamy, with higher monogamy correlating to more full siblings.

The research, which involved a computational model by Dr. Mark Dyble, identified the top 11 species as 'socially monogamous.' Humans' position, though lower than some animals, is still considered comfortable in this premier league. The findings suggest that the dominant mating pattern for our species is indeed monogamy, despite evolutionary links to less faithful primates.

Conversely, the Soay sheep from Scotland's St. Kilda archipelago ranked as the most promiscuous, with only 0.6% full siblings. Other species like the African wild dog, Damaraland mole rat, and Eurasian beaver also scored higher for monogamy than humans, underscoring the unique evolutionary path of human pair-bonding.