Emperor penguins usually mate for one year before moving on to mate with a new partner.
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom —
Emperor penguins usually mate for one year before moving on to mate with a new partner.
Thorsten Milse/Robert Harding/Barcroft Media/Landov
Male elephant seals, or "beach masters," protect harems of more than 100 females from other males thinking of moving into their territories.
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom —
Male elephant seals, or "beach masters," protect harems of more than 100 females from other males thinking of moving into their territories.
Justin Hofman/Barcroft Media/Landov
Bonobo monkeys do not conform to a mating system and regularly engage in frequent sex with multiple partners.
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom —
Bonobo monkeys do not conform to a mating system and regularly engage in frequent sex with multiple partners.
DPA/LANDOV
Swans -- symbols of love and fidelity -- are not monogamous.
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom —
Swans -- symbols of love and fidelity -- are not monogamous.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images
Love birds mate and "love" for as long the other mate stays alive. If one dies, the other develops a bond with another individual.
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom —
Love birds mate and "love" for as long the other mate stays alive. If one dies, the other develops a bond with another individual.
EMPICS/Landov
Male lightning bugs entice mates by lighting up the night sky.
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom —
Male lightning bugs entice mates by lighting up the night sky.
The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
Queen bees are the only females in a bee hive and are usually the mother of most, if not all, bees in a hive.
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom —
Queen bees are the only females in a bee hive and are usually the mother of most, if not all, bees in a hive.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Jumping spiders are known to "dance" for their mates, performing a complex, zigzagging flamenco-like dance to entice the females. Not only do they make moves, but they actually make a rhythmic vibrating song using their body movements.
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom —
Jumping spiders are known to "dance" for their mates, performing a complex, zigzagging flamenco-like dance to entice the females. Not only do they make moves, but they actually make a rhythmic vibrating song using their body movements.
Alejandro Ferrer/Barcroft Media/Landov