While our bodies are biologically ready, our minds, maturity and sense of responsibility may not be. Today, its not so much an issue of morals than it is an issue of responsibility that our children should not become sexually active, even though biologically they are in their peak. Learning to adapt to the changing environment is a factor that even animals must abide for survival. Our environment requires a great deal of mental adaptation before we can be considered ready for the world. From birth to approximately 23 years of age, every child must acquire an understanding of the entire wealth of human knowledge before they can compete in the world successfully. This doesn't leave much time for raising a family. According to nature, only after one can successfully provide for themselves and ensure the best possible chance for the success of their offspring in their current environment, should they pair to mate.
Homosexuality
Dolphins are probably the most interesting example of the homosexual phenomenon in nature. Although procreation is impossible, that doesn't appear to be the reason this occurs. Scientist have speculated this could be a display of dominance of one dolphin over another. Others have speculated that this could be a result of a bonding between both male dolphins as a form of affection for each other. It has never been documented as a violent or aggressive signature among dolphins that display this behavior.
Random aggression
Many animals display aggression - most often this is in defense of young or territory - overtaking the alpha position of an aging patriarch, or for food. The example we are searching for here that is also displayed in humans, is senseless random attacks seemingly without cause or reason. No animal represents this characteristic like the pit bull terrier. Many owners of pits will attest to the gentle nature of their specific pets, but as a breed the pits are perhaps the most aggressive and least predictable of the canine breed. Reports are so prevalent of pit bull attacks upon people, other pets and livestock that laws have been enacted for the regulation of the breed. Some could argue that pits are only a product of the masters they serve. Being fair, any domestic pet can be quite docile if not abused and with proper obedience training.
Reverence of the dead
We share this trait with elephants. Although many animals will remain near the carcass of a fallen mate or companion for days, this doesn't really constitute a reverence as much as a reluctance to accept the passing. Elephants have a specific place for the bones of their dead and will even return to that place and pick over the bones of a deceased companion. Even years will pass and they return to the place as if in remembrance of the one that passed away.
War
While most pack species in nature display territorial aggression warding off potential invaders along a defined scent marked range, the meerkat is perhaps the example exhibiting that most "war-like". A meerkat colony has a defined leadership structure in which a dominant female is the leader of the group. They forage daily for food, leaving behind one or two to protect the burrow and the young. They scout the edges of a defined territory and may breech into the territory of a rival colony. If discovered, the groups will aggressively attack or defend in battles to the death. Rival meerkat groups will kill the young of neighboring colonies if they happen upon a burrow undefended. For this reason, colonies will often move from burrow to burrow inside their territory. The success of a colony depends upon its numbers and the ability to scavenge for food.
We share many of the traits we refer to as morals - wild creatures in the animal kingdom - which is not to take away from us. We simply do not corner the market on the behavior. What we would refer to as violations of our moral norms are apparent and frequently being violated in nature without much remorse. We could pass this behavior off as simply due to their ignorance as animals, but then we'd have to ponder why they display reverence for their dead if not for some sense of an existence continuing on after. Perhaps, by a spiritual returning to our rightful place among all creatures rather than placing ourselves above them, we can learn more about ourselves.
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