Mating And Courtship

Animals need to keep their species going. If an animal dies, but never mates, its species will become extinct. So by mating, animals help their species go on. I will explain a couple ways animals attract mates down below, but here are some basic facts: Male animals usually attract the females, sometimes by looking bright and colorful (otherwise they fight, make calls, et cetera). The reason it's the males is because while the male attracts females, his mate will have to have brownish grayish colors to camouflage herself while she is taking care of and laying her eggs.


The common male toad does an interesting thing to mate. He makes a special call to attract a female, Once she is attracted, the male will grab on tight on her back, showing he's ready. His sticky toe pads will help grab on to her slippery skin.


The Iberian midwife toad (male) doesn't do a mating thing, but he does help with the eggs. He wraps the eggs around his hind legs so they stick on (there are around 50). Once it's been around 3 weeks, the male will dive into the water so when the eggs hatch, the tadpoles will be in water.


Unlike most other animals, female monkeys attract the males. The Sulawesi crested macaque (female) shows off her bright pink bottom. This will ask a male to come mate with her.


With some animals, 2 males about the same strength will battle for a female. With elephants, this can become quite intense. The 2 will lock tusks and battle. Whoever limps aways loses, and with the right reply from a female, the other will get to mate with her.

By Tessa Sagner

Top Favorites

Everybody has got to have a favorite animal, so here I will explain my top 5 favorite animals, and say why. So to get started, number 1 would probably be bees, because they are so important because they help grow many fruits, vegtables, and other foods that you eat. Number 2 might be polar bears, because the way they are able to survive in such cold climates is incredible, and they look amazing as well. For number 3 I would choose lions, because their golden fur looks so pretty in the sunshine. They are also exellent hunters, so that's why they are number 3. Now for number 4, I would choose elephants, because they are awesome looking, and the babies are so cute! I would also pick elephants because they are strong, and have a great memory. They even can recognize themselves in a mirror, too! Last, for number 5 I would pick dolphins, because they are cute, and can do amazing things in the water. They can also recognize themselves in a mirror, and are smart enough to do things like help newborn babies up to the surface for their first breath of air, and other things like that. Please, in the comments say your favorite animals and why too!

By Tessa Sagner