re: #307 KerFuFFler

It is more complicated than that because there are so many species with different mating strategies. Among herding animals males will often battle one another for control over a “harem”. Elephants and deer are common examples.

Female birds on the other hand often select their mate based on various characteristics: plummage, songs, nice nests and dances are examples of what some different species focus on.

And in some groups, the Beta males take advantage of the Alphas’ constant fighting and posturing to move in on the females, who are obviously not as impressed with Alphahood as some people think…