Writers’ Paradise

To avoid danger, animals often do their best to keep out of sight. During breeding season, however, they need to draw attention to themselves so they can attract a mate. Some animals do this by calling or singing or even changing color. Here is a list of interesting facts about animals and birds and their mating behavior.

A male fiddler crab waves one giant, colorful claw. This claw is as long as the fiddler crab’s body. When the male waves, female crab comes scuttling across the mud.

Male bowerbirds have amazing building skills. To attract females, each male collects hundreds of small sticks and make a structure called a bower. The male then decorates the bower with bright objects, and waits for his work to catch a female’s eyes. Satin bowerbirds, from Australia, alway use blue in their color scheme. The male collects blue flowers, blue feathers, and even blue bottle tops to spread out on the ground.

Apoils lizards attract females by lowering a throat flap, which looks like a brightly colored flag.

Male and female frigate birds look almost identical as they circle high above the sea. But during the breeding season, the males have a startling way of catching a female’s eye. Perched in a bush near the water’s edge, they puff up a throat pouch that look like a bright red balloon. Each male keeps his pouch inflated until he has successfully attracted a mate.

3 Responses to “Animal Behaviour: Using Color to Attract a Mate”

1. Silver jewellery Says:
   March 11th, 2009 at 11:30 am

   I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.

   Silver jewellerys last blog post..Open Celtic Knot Ring

2. India Hotels and Travel Says:
   March 24th, 2009 at 7:59 am

   Nice writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.

3. Mens Rings Says:
   August 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

   I wonder if my husband tried any of these tricks!