By observing these animal relationships, we find comfort in the idea that the desire for companionship, the effort of courtship, and the loyalty of a partner are universal themes that transcend the human experience.

Anthropomorphism—attributing human traits to animals—is why we find these stories so compelling. While a penguin giving a pebble to a mate might be a biological instinct to build a nest, to us, it looks like an engagement ring.

If you think human dating is hard, imagine having to build a house or perform a choreographed dance just to get a first date. In the wild, "romantic storylines" often begin with high-stakes effort. The Architect: The Pufferfish