In the case of the red-bellied species, the male presents a delicate blanket made of “the” thin silk woven from fine threads. Not only does he mate tirelessly with the female for 9 hours, but he also carefully wraps the blanket around “her” to protect her from being preyed upon by other insects during their intimate moments.
The Spanish fly and firefly beetle possess cantharidin, which is a special gift—a well-known aphrodisiac alkaloid secreted by the male from a small gland in the head region. As soon as the female sees this “dew drop”, she will mate with the male within half an hour. He will present her with a full package of cantharidin mixed with sperm. This substance wraps around the eggs, helping to protect their offspring from being eaten by other insects.
 |
Katydid (Photo: photo-trio) |
The gift from tree crickets and katydids is a small pouch filled with sperm. When the female consumes this pouch, she becomes excited and ready for mating. Notably, within 2 days, a female cricket can mate with several males to absorb as much sperm as possible, which helps extend her reproductive lifespan. The larger the pouch a male has, the more attention he receives from her. In some cricket species, the sperm pouch can be as large as 20% of the male’s body volume. The Mormon cricket has the largest pouch, allowing them to choose the most attractive mates.
Red spiders are devoted partners. After a blissful encounter with the “beauty,” they become a delicious meal for her… carnivorous nature. Deep in the African desert, zoologists have also discovered the sagebrush cricket. Males of this species often have worn-out wings because they willingly sacrifice themselves to nourish their smaller partners after mating.
The Bahamas iguana does not present any gifts to the female who will bring joy into its life. The special offering consists only of gentle bites on the nape and soft nibbles on the back, which irresistibly enchant the female, making her ready to submit.
 |
Flamingo (Photo: nbhtravel.com) |
The most unique behavior belongs to the hedgehog. Male hedgehogs often urinate all over their partners before mating. This is not considered rude. A male hedgehog that does not urinate will be rejected by the female. This is because the urine of male hedgehogs contains an aphrodisiac. Conversely, male hedgehogs also continuously sniff the female’s genitalia. Each mating season, a male hedgehog can mate with dozens of partners.
Finally, the most courteous behavior belongs to the bird family. Female penguins in Antarctica welcome males that bring them the most pebbles to build nests, rewarding them with an intimate encounter. The flamingos around Lake Tanganyika in Africa display even more politeness. The male spreads his wings, dances with his beak for nearly half an hour, then hurriedly brings a small twig to present to her. Both become enthralled in a seductive dance before indulging in their romantic encounter.
The New World (according to National Geographic, Natural History)
