Short Wave Mix Up LOVE, And You Get V-O-L-E
Feb 14, 2023
Join NPR's science correspondent Jon Hamilton as he unravels the fascinating world of prairie voles, those adorable little creatures known for their lifelong pair bonds. Discover how oxytocin, often dubbed the 'love hormone,' plays a role in these relationships, yet learn about surprising research that suggests love can flourish even without it. Hamilton shares insights into the unique social behaviors of voles, their co-parenting practices, and why studying them helps us better understand human affection and connection.
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Prairie Vole Love
- Prairie voles, often mistaken for mice, are known for their unique pair-bonding behavior.
- These rodents mate for life, co-parent, share nests, and frequently cuddle, resembling some human couples.
Oxytocin and Love
- Oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," plays a crucial role in pair bonding in both prairie voles and humans.
- A new study suggests that prairie voles can still experience love even without oxytocin receptors.
Pair-Bonding Anomalies
- Humans and prairie voles are unusual mammals due to their pair-bonding behavior.
- Prairie voles actively choose their partners through a learning process, unlike other species that imprint on the first creature they see.