4. SQUID
Squid begin mating with a circling nuptial dance. Teams of squid
revolve around across a `spawning bed' a 200 metres in diameter. At
daybreak they begin having sex and continue all day long - they
only take a break so the female can drive down and deposit eggs.
When she returns to the circle, the two go at it again. As twilight
falls, the pair go offshore to eat and rest. At the first sign of
sunlight, they return to their spot and do it all over again. This
routine can last up to two weeks, ensuring a healthy population of
squid.
5. PORCUPINES
The answer to one of our oldest jokes: `How do porcupines do it?'
`Veeery carefully!' is not quite true. The truth is more bizarre
than dangerous. Females are only receptive for a few hours a year.
As summer approaches, young females become nervous and very
excited. Next, they go off their food, and stick close by the males
and mope. Meanwhile the male becomes aggressive with other males,
and begins a period of carefully sniffing every place the female of
his choice urinates, smelling her all over. This is a tremendous
aphrodisiac. While she is sulking by his side, he begins to
`sing'.
When he is ready to make love, the female runs away if she's not
ready. If she is in the mood, they both rear up and face each
other, belly-to-belly. Then, males spray their ladies with a
tremendous stream of urine, soaking their loved one from head to
foot - the stream can shoot as far as 7 feet.
If they're not ready, females respond by 1) objecting verbally 2)
hitting with front paws like boxers 3) trying to bite 4) shaking
off the urine. When ready, they accept the bath. This routine can
go on for weeks. Six months after the beginning of courtship, the
female will accept any male she has been close to. The spines and
quills of both go relaxed and flat, and the male enters from
behind. Mating continues until the male is worn out. Every time he
tries to stop, the female wants to continue. If he has given up,
she chooses another partner, only now she acts out the male role.
To `cool off', females engage in the same courtship series,
step-by-step, in reverse order.
It is advised never to stand close to a cage that contains courting
porcupines.
6. GEESE
Two male geese may form a homosexual bond and prefer each other's
company to any female's. Sometimes, however, a female may interpose
herself between them during such a courtship, and be quickly
fertilised. They will accept her, and weeks later the happy family
of three can be seen attending to its tiny newborn goslings.
