From dances and gift-giving to violence and fights, the animal kingdom has some fascinating mating rituals to help them lock in partners and get on with the business of procreation. We've rounded up some of the stranger, unexpected animal mating rituals found in the natural world.
- What animals mate for life? Meet the most devoted couples in the animal kingdom
- The world's most romantic animals: These devoted species are the ultimate soulmates
Unusual animal mating rituals
Great crested grebes: an elegant dance with water weeds
As soon as mating season comes around, the great crested grebe transforms: their spring plumage offering a grand headpiece to woo potential mates. Their mating ritual is an elegant dance, with the pair coming together with straight necks, shaking their heads back and forth.
Then comes the ‘weed ceremony’. Once the bonds have been established between the birds, they will dive down in search of vegetation or water weeds. They will then rise again, close to one another’s breast, treading water as they elegantly turn from side to side.
Find out where to see courting great crested grebes.
Adders: a dance-off
The female adder attracts a male by emitting a scent from the base of her tail, which the male then flicks with his tongue, before it’s registered by the sensory organ (Jacobson’s organ) at the back of their throat. He then flicks his tongue along her back and sides, while moving along her body.
If a competitor male arrives, the two males will wrap themselves around one another and try and drive one another to the ground – like wrestlers in a ring. This is known as the 'dance of the adders'.
Find out more about how adders mate.
Slugs: unique interlocking devices
Slugs are hermaphrodites and during intercourse, they turn parts of their genitalia inside out and lock them together in a corkscrew formation. Slugs may then lower themselves on a mucus rope, like a trapeze artist. Penises emerge from behind their heads and wrap around one another. Each suitor then delivers a packet of sperm to its partner’s storage organ.
Find out more about how slugs have sex.
Praying mantis: headless mating
While there are many species that die immediately after mating, male praying mantises have been known to have their head bitten off before sex – and plough on regardless. The female praying mantis will often bite off the head of its prospective partner. In fact, during mating season, it’s estimated that up to 63% of a female mantis' diet is made up of males of the same species. This doesn’t stop the males though, with headless males having been seen to continue to initiate sex and copulate successfully – even without their heads.
We named the praying mantis on our list of the deadliest female animals.
- Headless animals: Can animals survive without their heads? Here's 10 that do — at least for a while
- Mating is a deadly business for these females, as the males are so desperate to breed they don't care if the females get killed in the process
Marine iguanas: a dose of pre-prepared ejaculate
The bigger male marine iguanas monopolise the female iguanas, and physically intervene if they see small males copulating. But never fear: those with smaller appendages have come up with an ingenious way to find a partner nevertheless.
Small males masturbate and store their ejaculate in a pouch at the tip of their penis. When an opportunity arises to mate, they quickly deposit their pre-prepared ejaculate into the female. This method has been known to improve the fertilisation success of small males by 41%.
- The world's weirdest penises – including a detachable one that swims off after a mate
- Which animal has the biggest penis? (Hint: it's probably not what you think)
Hares: a boxing match
As breeding season commences, male hares will chase down females in the hope of catching a mate. Known for their quick speeds, hares can reach up to 40mph when in hot pursuit. If the males are a bit too overzealous, the females will hold them off with a boxing fight.
Find out where the best places to see hares in the UK.
Great crested newt: a handstand
The male great crested newt performs an impressive courtship display, standing on his front legs and arching his back in a handstand. It generally takes place in the shallows of a pond, where he can really show off.
More wildlife stories:
- Is this nature's most violent mating behaviour? Meet the blubbery beast that hurls itself at other males
- How do whales mate? For animals as big as whales, sex can be a tricky and lengthy affair - here's how they do it
- This rare Indian tree frog has upside-down sex in dank holes – scientists have just figured out why
- Why do lions take so many sexual partners?
