These Animals Are Winning Valentine’s Day

From gift-giving to sexy moves, some creatures have a leg up in the mating game.

Every holiday comes with expectations — we want fireworks on July 4th, turkey on Thanksgiving turkey, and sweets and romance on Valentine’s Day.

And these animals are ready to deliver. So if you’re not ready for Cupid, take a cue from these creatures who win Valentine’s Day with all the right moves.

This beauty knows how to give a girl a multi-purpose gift. The male ornate moth, found through most of the United States and extending into South America, gives its mate what’s known in the insect world as a “nuptial gift.”

(See mouse kabobs and other strange gifts that animals give.)

Ornate moth caterpillars absorb noxious chemicals called alkaloids from rattlebox host plant and hang onto them as chemical defenses. When they

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

Is banning fishing bad for fishermen? Not in this marine reserve
SeaWorld allegedly violated the Animal Welfare Act. Why is it still open?
'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet