Attracting a Mate

Adaptations

How Do Animals Attract a Mate?

Word of the Week

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism occurs when there is a major difference between males and females of the same species.

Lions are sexually dimorphic because males are much larger and have a thick mane while females are much smaller and have no mane.

Species Spotlight

Bird of Paradise

Family Paradisaeidae

More than 40 species of birds of paradise are found in the family Paradisaeidae. Birds of paradise are known for the bright, beautiful feathers that males use to attract females! Some species have iridescent feathers that they hide until their mating performance. Males will put on unique dances where they flash or shake their colorful feathers to get a female’s attention. Females are usually very dull in colors and appearance compared to males; they get to be selective about who they want to mate with! Females will select males that have the brightest feathers and the most flawless dances.

The majority of a bird of paradise’s diet is fruit and bugs, depending on the species! Because they eat so much fruit and do not digest the seeds, they have become important seed dispersers in the tropical forests of Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia. After they eat large amounts of fruit, they fly around and drop seeds in their waste that grow into new trees and help keep the forest healthy. Because birds of paradise are generally found deep in dense rainforests, there is still a lot to learn about them.

Learn More!

BRAIN BLAST

Birds of paradise are known for their extreme sexual dimorphism. Make a list of every animal you can think of that displays sexual dimorphism and discuss the purpose of males and females having different appearances.

Conservation Corner

Forbidden Love

For many species, finding a mate is not as easy as it once was. As the human population has grown, land that was once valuable habitat for many animals has been changed into cities, farms, and roads. Many animals that typically travel for miles to find a mate are now stuck in a small area.

For animals to create healthy offspring, they need to breed with animals they are not related to. When animals are not able to move to new locations, they cannot reach other populations to find potential mates and often end up inbreeding. Inbreeding occurs when animals reproduce with individuals they are related to, which can make their offspring sick and unable to fight disease. Because of inbreeding, animals like cheetahs have lost genetic diversity and struggle to increase their population size.

Quiz

Quiz Printable

Finding Love in the Animal Kingdom

Match each animal to the adaptation in uses to attract a mate by clicking on the correct animal.

Finding Love in the Animal Kingdom Printable

Attracting a Mate Challenge

Birds are well known for having beautiful feathers and unusual behaviors that help them to attract a mate!

For this challenge, you are going to design a bird that other birds would find beautiful. Use markers, crayons, stickers, glitter, or any other craft supplies to make your bird attractive!

Beginner

After designing your bird, discuss as a group how each physical adaptation would help them attract a mate. Discuss any behaviors your bird does, as well!
Design
Expert

After designing your bird, complete the worksheet to describe how each physical adaptation benefits the bird and any behaviors you bird may do, as well.
Design