Animals are classified in a variety of ways. Basically, they are divided by being vertebrates (most having a backbone) and invertebrates (not having a backbone, for example, insects).

Vertebrates, Phylum Chordata, basically consist of five distinct classes: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

A number of things separate the classes. How they reproduce and their body temperature, for example. Birds and mammals are unique in that basically they are the only class of vertebrates that has the trait called parental care.

I’d like to use this column to discuss various males’ roles in raising their offspring.

In some species, the animals remained paired for life, such as bald eagles and Canada geese. This occurs most often in species that live longer than a few years. In these situations, the male plays quite a role in the success of the species.

However, as you might guess, some males often have nothing more than to breed with the female and then the rest “is up to her.”

Let’s look at a few examples. In the case of the black bear, mating occurs from late June through mid-July. Male black bears travel widely in search of a female in estrus and then they will mate. After that, in fact, he will again travel and may breed with a few more females. That is essentially his role in preserving the species.

She later (early January) finds a suitable den, gives birth, and warms and nurses the young. After a few months she leaves the den with the cubs and is an extremely protective and dedicated parent, sometimes even keeping males from killing her cubs.

A red fox male will mate with the female, and when she is denning with her growing pups, he will bring food to her, and later when the cubs start venturing near the den’s entrance, he will “keep an eye on the young” while also trying to keep four or five hungry pups fed. Researchers have also found that a year-old female red fox from last year’s den will usually help feed and guard the young, if she hasn’t been bred.

Hunters in particular will know that the male white-tailed deer’s role is simply to breed with receptive does, and in fact, like the bear, will mate with various females. Fighting for the right to breed, though, usually results in the strongest and best genetically fit male passing on his genes. After breeding, the buck has nothing to do with the doe and her fawns.

A male house wren goes the extra mile. After enticing a female to a number of his chosen nesting sites, they mate and she incubates the eggs. He supplies her with food, helps to feed the hungry young, and to keep other males away, he will stuff any nearby potential nest sites with sticks to keep competitors at bay. He is overprotective.

Paired bald eagles have a strong bond and even share incubation duties and warming the young in the nests. He supplies much of the food as well, but she does leave the nest to feed and he “takes over.” If you watch any one of the livestreaming bald eagle nests, you may see the “transfer of duty” unfold.

Canada geese bond and both protect the nest area and young. Meanwhile, the mallard duck male simply does the breeding and the rest is the hen’s job. As we approach spring (not soon enough) start observing the prebreeding and breeding behaviors of the bird near you. Get out there ….

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: Which of these breeds in the Times News coverage area? A. ring-billed gull; B. herring gull; C. Bonaparte’s gull; D. none of these; E. all of these.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: Unfortunately, America’s grasslands are dwindling and species like the meadowlark, bobolink and harrier are dwindling in numbers.

Email Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com