FOLIO LINE FOLIO LINE M c C l a t c h y - Tr i b u n e

Romance is tough, even in the

animal kingdom. If males are lucky,
a seductive dance or a swish of a tail
will set their girl’s heart in motion.
Researched by Lindsay Dubois, Karsten Ivey, Renee Kwok,
Belinda Long-Ivey, Kwency Norman, Sun Sentinel/MCT

P H OTO C O U RT E S Y O F M O R G U E F I L E
Some animals have a unique way of showing their
affection. When a female porcupine is interested, a
male showers her with urine for days or weeks
before taking the next step.

The time until a female

8 to 12 shows interest; she will
hours make high-pitched
sounds and urine markings

Lions may have a dozen mates to choose from,

M A RY A N N A N D E R S O N / M C T

although it’s usually the female that initiates con-

versation with lots of headrubs or seductive dis-
plays.

Number of possible
Dozens females in a pride

G L E N S T U B B E / M I N N E A P O L I S S TA R T R I B U N E / M C T
Male seahorses carry their babies to term. True love
is found after days of holding each other’s tail
followed by a courtship dance. After they mate, the
female deposits her eggs into the male’s pouch. The
male fertilizes and carries the eggs for up to 4 weeks.

Length of
8 hours courtship dance
P H OTO C O U RT E S Y O F M O R G U E F I L E

While it’s true that praying mantis females do eat

their mates, it doesn’t happen 100 percent of the
time. However, one type does behead her man in
order to mate properly.

Males that are

5% to
eaten by the female
31% praying mantis

A male hippopotamus takes a different approach

E V E LY N H O C K S T E I N / M C T

to wooing a female. He sprays urine and waste with

his tail to attract that special someone. Once he
strikes a female’s fancy, they’ll wade into the water
for the real fun.

Normal mating interval for

Two or three
hippopotamus females
years
AMY BETH BENNETT/SUN-SENTINEL/MCT

Alligators are not on the same page when it comes

to finding a mate. Recent studies show females are
more loyal to their man, choosing the same guy for
years. Male gators will mate with many females.

Female alligators that

70% choose one mate

Emperor penguins are a sweet

example of long-lasting couple. A
M I C H A E L J E N K I N / M I C K Y J. C O M

male sings and gestures for his spe- The male Australian Red Back Spider dances on
cial girl, even brings her a gift of a female’s web to impress her. If he tires quickly or
stones. After mating, the female messes up, he’s eaten. No wonder male spiders live
entrusts him to watch over their egg 6 to 7 months, while females live up to 3 years.
as she goes on a long journey to
hunt for food.
Length of the courtship
100 dance of an Australian
minutes Red Back Spider
Two
months
Time the male emperor penguin
protects the egg and keeps it warm.
L AU R I E G O E R I N G / C H I C AG O T R I B U N E / M C T
P H OTO C O U RT E S Y O F M O R G U E F I L E

He doesn’t eat or leave, risking his

own death. Bonobos substitute aggression with sex, and lots
of it — any time, and with all members. Contact is
usually brief unless the entire group gets excited,
SOURCES: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MUSEUM such as when finding a fig tree.
O F Z O O L O G Y; C N N . C O M ; E H OW. C O M ;
AU S T R A L I A N M U S E U M ; D I S C OV E RY N E W S ;
P H I L A D E L P H I A Z O O ; S M I T H S O N I A N N AT I O N A L
Z O O L O G I C A L PA R K ; P E N G U I N FAC T S . N E T ;
P E N G U I N S - W O R L D. C O M ;
N AT I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C. C O M ; “ B O N O B O S E X Average length
A N D S O C I E T Y ” B Y F R A N S B . M . D E WA A L ;
S E R E N D I P, B RY N M AW R C O L L E G E ;
13 seconds of sexual contact
BENEFICIALINSECTS101.COM; UNIVERSITY OF
F L O R I DA ; U. S . F I S H & W I L D L I F E S E RV I C E ,
A M E R I C A N A L L I G ATO R ; S AVA N N A R I V E R
E C O L O G Y L A B O R ATO RY

ANIMAL LOVE
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE