Which rodent forms monogamous pairs?

• A. Gerbils
• B. Mice
• C. Hamsters
• D. Rats

Answer: (A)

Monogamous pairing in rodents means forming a lasting one-to-one bond between a male and a female, with both partners often sharing parental duties and cooperating in care of offspring. Gerbils are well known for this pattern: they commonly live as a stable pair and stay with the same partner for extended periods, displaying biparental care and coordinated social behavior such as mutual grooming and joint nest defense. In contrast, mice tend to form dynamic social groups with breeding that isn’t typically lifelong monogamy; hamsters are usually solitary and territorial, and rats are highly social with flexible relationships that aren’t strictly monogamous. So, the rodent that best exemplifies monogamous pairing among these options is the gerbil.