Why are swans monogamous?

Or are they not?

I've always "known"(been told, that is;)) that swans mate for life. And if one of them dies, the other one might kill her/himself too. Wonder why that is so. Obviously swans aren't mammals, but it's still interesting. Are there any other monogamous animals around too?

Marnia's picture

Depends on your definition

There are a few (1-2%) socially monogamous birds and mammals...but now that scientists have DNA testing, guess what? NO *sexually* monogamous animals. Mother nature likes to keep the gene pool fresh. She doesn't care about true love. Sorry.

Story from NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/science/18angi.html?em&ex=1205985600&e...