Harem (zoology)

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/harem-zoology

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 name?N/A (Harem is a social structure, not a species)
2. What is the diet?Varies widely depending on the species exhibiting harem behavior (herbivore, carnivore, omnivore)
3. What is a harem in animals?A harem is a group where one or a few males have mating rights with many females and their babies. The main male guards the group and keeps other males away. The females stay together and help each other.
4. Why does the dominant male protect the females and babies?The dominant male protects the females and babies so he can keep his chance to have many babies. He also keeps other males from taking them. This helps him have more babies.

Polygyny: A mating system where one male mates with multiple females.
Sexual Selection: The process where organisms evolve traits that increase their chances of attracting mates.
Infanticide: The killing of young offspring, often by a new dominant male taking over a group.