Courtship of animals
Herons
The cattle egret is the only representative of its genus belonging to the family of herons, living almost everywhere, except Antarctica. The cattle egret has a shorter beak compared with the rest of the family of herons, the body is covered with white feathers, and the neck is painted in a beautiful yellowish–orange colour. During the mating on the head of the Egyptian heron develops a yellow crest and appear long yellow feathers in the back. The great white heron is a monogamous bird. This means that after a period of nesting pairs break up, although there were cases when in the following year the pair reunited.
Giraffes
A very special atmosphere reigns over within a herd of giraffes. Giraffes are extremely loving and patient with their fellows. But they have a hierarchical ladder with a male dominant at the top. He always keeps his head high and no one gives a way. Other members of the herd should keep heads down recognizing their subordinate position. If someone decides to redistribute the role, he should fight in a duel. At first, males start grimacing, raising their upper lips, and then move to more decisive actions. The contender for the highest rank approaches the male dominant arching his neck, his head and threatening to his rival with the horns. If the rival does not recede, the animals stand shoulder to shoulder and begin to bang with heads and necks. Sometimes a duel between males lasts about 15 minutes, and then one of the rivals retreats few paces acknowledging a defeat. The winning male will never cast out the loser from the herd, and it is a wonderful contrast to the behaviour of most other ungulates.
Bears
Bears as well as marsh frogs have usually one thing in mind how to find a female ready to mate. In order to get an offspring, the bears have mated several times. Courtship is often accompanied by a loud roar. The bear and the female bear do not break up within two weeks then their paths diverge. After fertilization the embryo freezes. It will not develop until November when the female goes in to the den. Then the embryo grows up very fast. Cubs will be born after 8–10 weeks, but blind, deaf and toothless – the size of a mitten, as they say hunters.
Flamingos
During the mating the excited flamingo males often have fights, like a knight's tournament, wearing a rather symbolic character. Rivals come up to each other, and bristle feathers to look more imposing and menacing. With a loud cackle they clumsy tread water and shoot the breeze grabbing each other for the bills. Occasionally, the long–legged contestants lose their balance and try to keep it with the wings, but unfortunately, swans never use their wings to attack. Such a trial of strength lasts for half a minute, and then one of the contestants, apparently weaker, acknowledging himself defeated ceases to resist, as if nothing happened quietly steps aside to rest until a new trial of strength with the next contender. The winner is not vindictive, and does not pursue the defeated rival, he is quite satisfied with the victory. It's funny that sometimes a female flamingo is involved in such a brawl.
Snakes
Courtship of snakes last from several hours to 2 days. Bright, brilliant male with a beautiful zig-zag pattern is very active. He promptly appears on the surface from under the rubble where there is a refuge. He entwines around a large dark coloured female, and both disappear among the rocks. A few minutes later the snake appears on the surface, quickly glides, weaves and disappears again. During the breeding season, snakes suit challenges a marriage game. In this case, one can watch a fighting tournament over females, and a special ritual courtship.
Black Grouse
Like other members of the family, grouse are polygamous, one male goes to several females. Since the beginning of the spring the males gather together in open areas surrounded by forest or bush, where grouse lek - "sing", mumble and chase one another. Birds usually lek on the ground, but some individuals may climb on a tree branch. In a few minutes after the males, the females arrive at the place. At first they stand aside, then fly to the centre of area, and choose a partner for mating. In moments of excitement male circles in place shifting from foot to foot, pulling the neck, jumping up and loudly muttering. The whole process takes 1–1,5 hours. At some points the males can fly apart in the hand, but after a few minutes, returns to area again. Conflicts are often occurred between Black Grouse, during which they chase one another or come into the fray. Black Grouse fights resemble cook ones - both players approach, bend their heads to the ground and jump almost vertically, rushing at each other.
Elephants
Asian elephants are known for their brutal and violent fights over females, and during mating, they produce a very pungent smell, which is designed to demonstrate their status as male, which allows them to enter into a dumb communication with their potential sexual partners. It was found that the more "macho" male elephants have such an impression on the females with different variations of the pheromone called frontalin. After the mating, males can join the flock. It is allowed to mature dominant males only to mate. Fights sometimes lead to serious injuries to competitors and even death. The male winner drives off other males from a female, and stays with her within 3 weeks.
Parrots
Almost all parrots are monogamous. Courtship of parrots is very energetic. The male parrot dissolves a tail, lifts slightly wings, bristles feathers and makes the rotational movement around the "axis", uttering at the same time melodic and voiced trills. The parrot song attracts the female to the nest, showing that the place is chosen for the nest, and all is ready for the birth of offspring. Singing and courtship cause hormonal surge, increasing the excitement of the male and thereby stimulating the female, synchronizing their sexual activity. Observations show that in most cases, the sexual cycle in males begins earlier than the females. The female rushes to the singing of the male, whose voice tells about occupying the territory that is suitable for nesting.
Lions
During the mating period, a lion with a lioness often "compete" pounding gently each other with their paws. At this time, they resemble kittens. The mating is long and looks romantic. They lie and relax. Then they start tumbling in the dust for hours, biting each other, struggling and having sex. After that a lion lies beside a lioness, as if guarding her. He lies so long that it seems they sleep, but a lion is ready to defend a mother of his cubs at the slightest danger. She continues to lie and enjoy life.
Monkeys
Monkeys spend much time cleaning each other wool (choose dandruff). It takes them for hours. Adult males allow other monkeys to take care of them, but they pay attention to females only. A male is looked after by multiple monkeys usually takes the higher position in the herd. Males are selfish; their tie with a family is fragile, they are not familiar with a sense of fatherhood. But there are "knights" among monkeys whose friendship and love are different. They do not search for short–terms, they seek more serious relationship. A "knight" monkey follows a female and protects her.
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