The white-breasted parrot, primarily found in some regions of Central America, is considered the only animal that knows how to kiss like humans. Before engaging in intimacy, the male and female parrots press their beaks tightly together, then gently touch their tongues in a very affectionate manner.
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The white-breasted parrot is the only species known to kiss like humans. (Photo: asu/VNE) |
If both are satisfied with the “foreplay”, the male will proceed to the next step. He will feed his mate to express his affection. Unlike many other animals, the white-breasted parrots incubate their eggs together and care for their offspring, even though the female only lays one egg. When a new member of the family is born, the parent parrots work to find food and protect their young until it reaches adulthood.
Group Indulgence
In Canada and the Pacific Northwest of North America, there is a small but highly venomous snake that has a rather peculiar mating habit. During the breeding season, around 25,000 snakes gather in a large den, ready for a communal experience. Amid this chaos, a female snake is pursued by approximately 100 males vying for the chance to become fathers. Observers have noted some snake populations engaging in amorous activities, intertwining to form a massive pile of snakes nearly 1 meter high.
Faithfulness and Three Minutes a Year?
Penguins are known for their fidelity to their “lifelong partners”, even if they have to live apart for extended periods due to migration habits. When they reunite after a long separation, the pair will stand side by side, chests touching, heads tilted back, and sing joyfully together, flapping their wings excitedly. Two weeks after their reunion marks the peak of their marital life. The male signals to the female that it is time for “action” by nudging his head into her embrace. However, the actual time for mating lasts only three minutes. This brief moment is the only time they engage in “that activity” throughout the year.
Festival of Love
Squid begin their moments of happiness with a beautiful circular dance. Groups of squids gather and swim around a spawning area with a diameter of about 200 meters. From dawn, they start to mate until the day ends, allowing the female squid to dive to the ocean floor to lay eggs. When she returns to the dance, they continue their courtship. As dusk falls, the couples temporarily part ways for rest. When the sun rises, they return to their old rendezvous to enjoy moments of happiness just like the previous day. This love festival lasts about two weeks before concluding.
A Scent to Remember
Despite their bulky and less-than-attractive appearance, hippos have a unique way of attracting mates. During the breeding season, female hippos draw attention with a distinctive scent that is unmistakable— the smell of urine and feces. When they excrete waste, the females vigorously whip their tails to disperse the scent as far as possible. Male hippos recognize females by this characteristic odor. Once a mutual attraction is established, the hippo couple will engage in a love song, playfully splashing water before moving to the final stages of their romance.
Fighting to the End
Similar to many other social birds and mammals, Uganda antelopes graze in herds throughout the year. However, during the breeding season, the dominant male establishes a mating territory, while the females have the right to choose their territory to “offer themselves.” Each female then selects the most attractive male from the group. This fortunate male will mate with all the females in the group until he is utterly exhausted. Only then will he yield and allow another less fortunate male to take his place.
Caution as a National Policy
With their rough, spiky bodies, how can porcupines engage in “that activity”? During the summer, female porcupines often become unusually excited and active. They refuse to eat, spending all day clinging to a male porcupine. Meanwhile, the male becomes aggressive towards other rivals. Once both are ready, they stand upright, cheeks touching, bellies aligned. Next, the male sprays urine all over the female, this “spray” can reach distances of over 2 meters. This process continues for several weeks. Six months after this preparation, the female porcupine will accept any male that approaches her. At this time, her dangerous sharp quills relax and flatten out, allowing the male to easily access her from behind. The fun lasts until the male is completely exhausted. Only then will the female take charge to continue the enjoyment. Only when the male surrenders for some reason will the female seek another partner to satisfy her romantic desires.
Fathering in the Wife’s Belly
In the green spoonworm species, shaped like a spoon, when eggs need fertilization, the female will suck the tiny male spoonworm into a “chamber” located on her body. The male will live in the belly of the female for the rest of his life to ensure the survival of their species. This is not surprising, as male green spoonworms are about 200,000 times smaller than females. If humans had a similar ratio, a man would be the size of a pencil eraser.
Sacrifice for Future Generations
In a species of honeybee, when the male ejaculates, his genital organ detaches from his body. Thus, he falls to the ground and breathes his last after the moment of “bliss.” However, the male’s “treasure” remains forever within the female’s body to prevent her from mating with another. The male honeybee sacrifices his life solely to ensure that his lineage continues for future generations. In return, the female honors her “husband” with her complete devotion.
Lifetime of Dependency on the Wife
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Bdelloid rotifer (Photo: wslar.epfl) |
Upon reaching maturity, male seahorses, which are quite small in size, begin to search for their “better half.” They seek a partner, often much larger than themselves, in the dark depths of the ocean, over 1.8 km deep. Once they find their “soulmate,” the male will cling tightly to the protective body of his “wife” and never leave her side again. In fact, their blood vessels connect, allowing the male to live entirely off the female. To repay her nurturing, the male provides what she needs most: sperm.
Virginity Worth Its Weight in Gold
Bdelloid rotifers, tiny creatures living in damp moss, are recognized by scientists as the most pristine animals. According to scientific records, for the past 85 million years, their eggs do not require fertilization, yet their lineage has not gone extinct. They still lay eggs like normal animals, but those eggs do not need fertilization to produce tiny living beings.
