“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” says the old adage. Feels like that’s also true for art and those irritatingly positive people, optimists. Today we’re going to appreciate the beauty in oddities.
I’m occasionally presented with a unique fact or article for inspiration. I was recently introduced to the “Ghost Shark,” the Spotted Rat Fish, who has forehead teeth that look prehistoric but in fact aid in the mating process. As I read about this interesting feature and behavior, of course, I wonder…What other odd features and mating behaviors exist in the critter kingdoms?
For all you Friends fans, perhaps you remember the episode where Ross and Rachel finally come together as Phoebe proclaims, “See. He’s her lobster.” While the lobster line made great TV, the science doesn’t quite line up. Lobsters do not mate for life, but they do have an interesting ritual complete with urine shooting from the female’s face to attract her mate. Other species that utilize urine in the process include porcupines and giraffes to signal their readiness or fertility. If we just concentrate on mating behaviors, we find a wild ride of interesting facts.
Image created in Canva by BD.Some groups have more risky, even dangerous habits, as they endeavor to propagate their species. With a hint of pheromones in the air, the male black widow will tap on her web to say, “Hello!” What happens next might end him, literally. Some black widow spider males will not survive her bite. The Deep-sea anglerfish males must choose carefully because they will bite onto the female and fuse with her…forever. Flatworms “fence” to become the loser and become pregnant. And those adorable, playful dolphins…males sometimes kidnap females to mate. You thought the human single scene was a jungle! Our animal friends have many challenges too.
It’s not all scary and treacherous. Many species are looking for a life mate like beavers, gibbons, wolves, swans, or vultures. Other species put on a lovely performance or offer gifts. Hangingfly males, also called scorpion flies, come calling with live prey to impress the females. Adelie penguins gather rocks to build a nest together. Perhaps some great dance moves are needed to catch the attention of a suitor, you could ask the jumping spiders for some tips. Who doesn’t love a peacock move! (Side note: you might enjoy meeting Earl, a jumping spider that made friends with a human.) Some garden snails stab each other with “love darts” of calcium to enhance fertilization. Hooded seals attract their mates with impressive nose balloons. The ruff birds protect their nests and dance to impress the ladies; however, it’s the white feathered male ruffs that play it cool and look more like the females to get closer. Don’t discount the friend zone! They’re playing the long game.
Animals have fascinated me all my life. Eagerly awaiting Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom on Sunday evenings as a kid is a favorite memory. I still love to visit a zoo or wander around a garden noticing all the insects and birds enjoying the flowers. I live in a stopover area for migrating monarch butterflies and get to see them annually dance through my flower beds. I could watch them for hours as they hop and fly around the trees. They remind me to never lose a sense of wonder and appreciation for our place together on the planet. In the end, we need to take care of each other, whatever species you are.
If you need me, I’m probably back at the nursery buying more butterfly and pollinator friendly plants.
Barbaree Duke
Geospatial Crusader
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