Humans have been ranked 7th out of 35 mammal species for monogamy in a new University of Cambridge study, placing us well above meerkats and chimpanzees — but still behind Eurasian beavers and other top-ranked species.
Researchers compared genetic data to see how often siblings shared both parents. Humans scored 66% full siblings, while beavers reached 72%. At the bottom of the list were chimpanzees, dolphins and mountain gorillas, showing far more promiscuous mating patterns.
The findings suggest humans evolved a relatively uncommon form of pair bonding among mammals — likely linked to paternal care and offspring survival. However, scientists note that cultural and religious forces also play major roles in keeping human partners together.
So while humans make the monogamy “premier league,” researchers say there’s still room to improve if we want to catch the beavers.
