Diverse Fathering Styles

Happy Father's Day 

This Father's day we are celebrating the animal kingdoms’ diverse fathering styles at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium. From overprotective, to primary caretaker, to dead-beat dads. 

“Transitional” dad: Marlin the Clownfish

Any Finding Nemo fan will vouch for the sheer dedication that dad Marlin showed whilst nurturing Nemo’s development following the loss of his mum. This isn’t far from the truth with male clown fish, the primary caretakers of their young.

Female Clownfish can lay thousands of eggs. After they are laid, the male will fertilise them and guard them until they hatch.

What wasn’t depicted in the hit Disney Pixar movie is that all Clownfish are born male, however, carry both male and female reproductive organs. Clownfish live in a group consisting of one dominant female, a dominant male, and a group of smaller males. The dominant male ensures its position by taking advantage of the best food opportunities.

The most interesting plot twist is that if the female within the group dies, the dominant male fish will transition into a female and the largest of the smaller males will become the next dominant male.

Dead-beat” dad:  Trio aka ‘Bad boy’ the Grey Nurse Shark

Shark courtship and the road to fatherhood, is a rough love affair which takes the term ‘love bite’ to a new level. All male sharks have claspers; extensions of their pelvic fins, used to transfer sperm during mating events.

Males like Trio will grasp the females with their impressive jaws and teeth. Once the male’s claspers are inserted, he expels sperm into the female along with seawater and the eggs are fertilized inside the female's body.

Both parents play no active role in pup rearing and being opportunistic predators, they have also been known to predate on their own young.

As displayed in the animal kingdom, we know Dad's Dads come in all different forms and styles, so whoever the father figure is in your life, treat them to a special day out at one of Sydney's top attractions!

Want to know more about our "Hopping" to be a Dad one day Dad, Kofi the Tree Kangaroo and the Overprotective Dad, Morty the Giant Burrowing Cockroach. Head on over to WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo to read all about them. 

We're celebrating all caregivers for the tireless work they do, with an exclusive online offer where 'Dads' go FREE with a full paying ticket. Those wishing to visit with dads working on Father’s Day need not to worry. Both attractions have got you covered - this offer is valid from Sunday 4th - Friday 9th September! *For full terms and conditions, simply visit here.