In the animal kingdom, many species engage in vastly different reproductive processes. Regardless of the method, these behaviors aim to enhance the reproductive success of animal populations.
Collection of Quirky Animal Behaviors
Giraffe
A male giraffe begins the mating process by rubbing his head against the female’s back. Multiple males may compete for a female by swinging their necks at each other. The winner will mate with the female, but only if she allows it.
Tamarin Monkey
Tamarin monkeys can vary in species, but the most common structure includes one female and two males. Since females often give birth to twins, this family structure makes sense, as each male is responsible for caring for one baby.
Discus Fish
Male discus fish have a greater responsibility than most other males in the animal kingdom. While the female lays and guards the eggs, the male protects the female. When the eggs hatch, both parents feed the young with a milk-like substance secreted from their skin.
Copperhead Snake
In North America, a female copperhead can be pursued by over 100 males at the same time. The males swarm around the female, forming a mating ball. If a female is not strong enough to escape the males, this mating can be fatal for her.
Bonobo
Bonobos are known for their agility. Monogamy and heterosexuality do not exist in the bonobo world. They engage in various sexual activities with multiple partners of both sexes.
Snail
Land snails have a small appendage protruding from between their tentacles that they use for reproduction. Most snail species are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.
Seahorse
A female seahorse injects her eggs into the male’s pouch, where they are fertilized. The male then becomes pregnant and carries the young until they mature. Seahorses are also very affectionate with each other; when the male is pregnant, the female will nudge and gently touch him continuously.
Flatworm
This marine animal is hermaphroditic, and when it comes time to mate, they will compete for the role of who initiates first.
Anglerfish
This deep-sea fish takes “attachment” to a whole new level. Since finding a mate at the vast ocean floor is challenging, when a male finds a female, he bites and latches onto her. The two will then literally merge until they share a circulatory system. When it’s time to reproduce, the male draws nutrients from the female while she uses his sperm.
Clownfish
Clownfish are hermaphroditic; in a specific group of clownfish, there is one dominant female, larger and more dominant than the others. The largest male is the only one allowed to mate with the female. If the female dies, this male will then change sex and become the new female leader, continuing the cycle.
Black Widow Spider
Because females are larger than males, when a male attempts to mate, he risks getting caught in the female’s web, mistaken for prey and eaten. A male signals his peaceful approach by vibrating his abdomen. As he moves across the web, he continuously vibrates and pauses, repeating this pattern until he reaches the female.
Antechinus
These creatures, also known as marsupial mice, reside in Australia. They have a very challenging mating period. When they reach puberty, the males have only a few weeks to mate before they die.
Bee
The male honeybee, also known as a drone, sacrifices himself for the queen’s benefit. During mating, the male ejaculates and explodes, becoming paralyzed and dying.
Albatross
These migratory birds are monogamous. They can fly for many years without landing, but when they do land, they must always be together. Every few years, they return to the Galapagos Islands to mate.
When mates meet, they perform a 20-minute courtship dance before coming together. When they have a chick, it is fed by both parents for a year before it sets off to explore the world.
Hedgehog
Female hedgehogs have limited mating opportunities, only about 8 to 12 hours a year. When the time comes, male hedgehogs will climb trees to urinate down; if the female likes the scent, she will mate with the male until he is exhausted.
