Animal Attraction

    People will exchange more than 100 million roses and more than a billion Valentine's Day cards on this day dedicate to love.

    But if you're looking for something a little different to do this year, unlike the chocolates today is famous for, your gift doesn't have to get stuck in a box.

    While sweet treats and flowers can be romantic, those who want to show their creativity or sensitivity may be able to learn something from the birds and the bees.

    The frustration of buying the perfect valentines day gift may have you thinking that love is for the birds... and it may be.

    Jenna Wadley has been working at the Petsmart in Springfield for three years, and she says, "If you separate them [lovebirds], if they've been together a long time, they can actually get sad; they'll get depressed and will eventually not have good health and could die."

    But keep these lovebirds together and bring them home- they could teach you a thing or two about romance.

    "They kind of squawk at each other, they groom, grooming is a big deal of it, and they just play with toys together and eat together; they do everything together really," says Wadley.

    Not wild about having the real thing around?

    You don't have to go far to find a less noisy and more cuddly substitute.

    Here in Springfield you can adopt a flamingo at Dickerson Park Zoo.

    "We use the animals from our collection as the basis for our adopt an animal program, but obviously it's not an animal you get to take home with you, which is why we're doing the special plush addition; this is something above and beyond what we do with our normal adoption program," says Melinda Arnold with the Zoo.

    Still want to paint the town red?

    Try being wild at heart at Wonders of Wildlife.

    "It's an event that will include a presentation about mating and courtship rituals in the animal world and also the Zoolywed game featuring Springfield celebrity couples," says Arnold.

    But if you're still looking for some inspiration, maybe a romantic pair of.... fish?

     "They think it's cool whenever they kiss," says Wadley about Kissing Fish.

    They may be built for smooching, but these fish are pretty realistic about romance.

    "Whenever they're wanting to mate, they could... sometimes aggression is a part of that, so lucky for us that's not normal for us," says Wadley.

    Lucky us, we still need to find a present.

    You don't necessarily have to have a valentine to show your love.

    The American Heart Association says donating to the organization can also give you a good feeling in your own heart.