Courtship display

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/courtship-display

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific basis?Behaviors evolved through sexual selection, driven by mate choice and competition
2. What is the primary function?Facilitate species recognition, assess mate quality, and initiate reproduction
3. Why do male animals start the dance?Males usually start the display to show they are healthy, strong, and ready to mate. They want to prove they can give good genes or protection.
4. How do animals use colors and sounds in their dances?Animals use bright colors, big feathers, or shiny lights, and they make sounds like songs or drumming. Some even use smells to attract others.

Ritualized Behavior: Stereotyped, species-specific actions performed in a predictable sequence during courtship.
Sexual Selection: A mode of natural selection where individuals with certain inherited traits are more likely to obtain mates.
Honest Signal: A trait or display that is costly to produce, thus reliably indicating the bearer's quality.
Agonistic Display: Behavior associated with fighting, including threats, retreats, and defensive actions, often used in courtship.