Courtship Behaviour

Individuals can recognise members of their own species by behaviour. The ability to display courtship behaviour is genetically determined and increases the chances of survival of the species by increasing the chances of successful reproduction.The females of many species undergo a cycle of sexual activity and only produce eggs at specific times. In some species the production of eggs may be as rarely as once a year. The females are receptive to mating during the time they produce eggs. The chance of successful mating is increased by individuals being able to recognise other members of their species and identify that a mate is capable of breeding and the males use courtship behaviour to determine if the female is at the receptive stage. The female responds with appropriate behaviour and if courtship continues it is likely it will result in mating.It also helps establish pair bonds in some species.The member of the opposite sex may need to be brought into a physical state to enable mating to occur and synchronise the mating increases the chances of fertilisation of the egg by the sperm.