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Photograph by Joel Sartore
Macaws typically mate for life. They not only breed with, but also share food with their mates and enjoy mutual grooming. -
Photograph by Joel Sartore
A couple of brown bears nuzzle on a shore. Bears are playful and curious. -
Photograph by Lisa Jansen
The male, or drake (left), is the more distinctively colored of the mallards. Its iconic green head sits atop a white neckband that sets off a chestnut-colored chest and gray body. Females (right) are brown in color, but sport iridescent purple-blue wing feathers that are visible as a patch on their sides. The ducks sit face-to-face, which is common during the mallard mating process. -
Photograph by Jared Schoenemann
An elephant's trunk is actually a long nose with many functions. It is used for smelling, breathing, trumpeting, drinking, and also for grabbing things, especially a potential meal. These elephants greet each other by putting the tip of the trunk into the other's mouth. -
Photograph by Fumiko Yarita
Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, cuddle after a dip in the hot springs. -
Photograph by Joseph Porges
All seals must come ashore once a year to breed. They assemble in enormous herds on beaches. Most form pairs during the breeding season. -
Photograph by Ernie Aranyosi
Lions are the only cats that live in groups, which are called prides. Here, a male and female are caught nuzzling. -
Photograph by Tom Murphy
Emperor penguins are the largest penguins, standing about 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall. These large birds huddle together to escape wind and conserve warmth. -
Photograph by Norbert Rosing
Polar bears are powerful predators, but this wild polar bear became playful with a sled dog in the wilds of Canada's Hudson Bay. -
Photograph by Martin Allaire
Zebras are social animals that spend time in herds. They graze together, primarily on grass, and even groom one another by nibbling the hair on each other's necks and backs.
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