We can see what love encompasses in studies of the fluffy little titi monkey conducted by Bill Mason and Sally Mendoza of the University of California. Females nurse their babies but don't offer any other maternal responses. They do not groom or touch their infants. The true nurturer is the male, who assumes 80 percent of the infant care. It's the male who holds and carries the baby, who is emotionally engaged and is the safe haven. Baby titis don't seem to mind at all when the mother is removed from the family for a while, but when the father is taken away, the infants' levels of the stress hormone cortisol soar.
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Research on the titi monkey reveals complex dynamics of care and nurturing within this species, particularly highlighting the roles of male and female parents. While female titi monkeys nurse their infants, they largely refrain from other nurturing behaviors such as grooming or physical contact. Instead, it is the male titi who takes on the majority of infant care, demonstrating substantial emotional engagement and serving as a source of safety.

The findings indicate that the emotional bond between the father and his young is crucial for their well-being. When separated from their father, infant titi monkeys experience a marked increase in cortisol, a stress hormone, suggesting that the male's presence is vital for their emotional health. This counterintuitive caregiving structure in titi monkeys offers insight into the multifaceted nature of love and attachment in animal behavior.

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February 22, 2025

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