# Do Nonhuman Animals Have "Types" That They Look For In Mates? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 14, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786 "2020-05-14T14:02:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/1 "2020-05-14T14:02:01Z")
In the wild (or in captivity, I suppose), have animals been observed choosing mating partners that have consistent features? Like, in Africa, Dr. Important Primate Researcher noted that this male chimpanzee prefers to mate with smaller females, while that male chimpanzee prefers to mate with larger ones? Or in Siberia, Dr. Important Canine Scientist noted that his male wolf prefers females with a lighter fur color, while that male wolf prefers to mate with females with a darker fur color? Has such a thing ever been observed/documented? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/2 "2020-05-14T15:19:43Z")
It’s a [hell of a difficult question.](https://jeb.biologists.org/content/216/7/1127) > [@](#): > > In this Commentary, I review the current literature to reveal that most experimental tests of mate choice in mammals are unable to reveal the actual male phenotypic trait(s) of female preference, which is crucial for identifying male characteristics under sexual selection. In addition, very few studies take into account female oestrous stage, or quantify the fitness benefits to discriminating females. Future work should concentrate on demonstrating female preferences for specific male traits that are shown by genetic paternity analysis to be correlated with male reproductive success, using setups that control for the effects of male and female mating strategies and in which the actual experiments are performed during the female’s peak oestrous period. […] > > Females are predicted to choose particular categories of males in mate-choice contexts either because these preferences result in direct fitness benefits to the females themselves, indirect fitness benefits that increase offspring viability, i.e. ‘good genes’ (Neff and Pitcher, 2005), or because pre-existing sensory biases make male display characteristics more conspicuous and attractive to females (Ryan, 1998). However, demonstrating female mating preferences, particularly in natural conditions, can be problematic. For example, in territorial species it is difficult to be certain whether females are attracted to individual males or the territory they currently occupy. A further complication is that free-ranging females may copy the preferences of other individuals, or even be attracted to each other in order to reduce predation risk or harassment (Clutton-Brock and McComb, 1993). In addition, female mating strategies may fulfil non-procreative roles, such as the need to confuse paternity in mammals where infanticide is common (Wolff and Macdonald, 2004), and male strategies may force females to mate with certain individuals whatever their preference criteria (Muller et al., 2011). Hence, in order to determine female mating preferences it is imperative to use appropriate experimental setups that control for male–male competition and other female mating strategies. […] > > It is also important to consider that variation in mating preferences among females can arise due to genetic differences and environmental influences (Jennions and Petrie, 1997), and this can affect the intensity of selection on male traits. Furthermore, studies that focus on the variability of individual responses, as well as the overall female response, would shed light on how heritable variation in female preferences is maintained, and provide information on the magnitude of any potential indirect fitness benefits associated with mate choice. In addition, population-level choice tests in which females are tested only once with a set of stimuli do not evaluate within-female variation in preference. Accordingly, I suggest that future studies test females multiple times to build up preference functions for individuals. And I’m a bit curious as to why your OP only suggested examples of individual **male** preferences in sexual selection, when AFAICT the key aspect of sexual selection in nonhuman animals tends to be **female** preferences. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/3 "2020-05-14T15:28:51Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > And I’m a bit curious as to why your OP only suggested examples of individual **male** preferences in sexual selection, when AFAICT the key aspect of sexual selection in nonhuman animals tends to be **female** preferences. Brevity. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/4 "2020-05-14T15:30:00Z")
Also, don’t most males of most species in the animal kingdom “choose” their mates whether they (the mates) like it or not? ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/5 "2020-05-14T15:37:50Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Also, don’t most males of most species in the animal kingdom “choose” their mates whether they (the mates) like it or not? I don’t know about that. In birds there are many examples where the male has elaborate feather patterns and behaviors to attract females, who evidently make the choice. In herding animals there may be a dominant male and harem of females, but he has to be the strongest to fend-off other males, so again the females choose him for protection and procreation. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/6 "2020-05-14T16:40:46Z")
It certainly exists, and many species have specific mating or courtship rituals, not just mammals. Birds, insects, fish, crustaceans, you name it. A lot of it is documented. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/7 "2020-05-14T16:45:01Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Also, don’t most males of most species in the animal kingdom “choose” their mates whether they (the mates) like it or not? Are you asking, do most male animals physically force the mating act upon chosen females by means of their superior physical size/strength? AFAIK the answer is “no”. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/8 "2020-05-14T17:31:16Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Are you asking, do most male animals physically force the mating act upon chosen females by means of their superior physical size/strength? AFAIK the answer is “no”. OK, didn’t know that. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/9 "2020-05-14T18:27:44Z")
Female wolf spiders prefer to mate with males who are physically similar to those they interacted with as a baby spider. [https://www.pnas.org/content/100/23/13390](https://www.pnas.org/content/100/23/13390) ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/53a042/32.png) [@cornflakes2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes2)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/10 "2020-05-15T03:58:05Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > It certainly exists, and many species have specific mating or courtship rituals, not just mammals. Birds, insects, fish, crustaceans, you name it. A lot of it is documented. True, but not to the point where a species will head into extinction because they didn’t want to mate as they didn’t find their “type”. Humans will and do today. Not quite to extinction (obviously) but if you look at a lot of people today who have never been married and never will due to various factors…families are shrinking and altogether disappearing. In the animal kingdom, where there does exist these “preferences” too, I don’t believe it’s anywhere quite to the extent to that of humans. They will mate no matter what if they have to. Humans won’t. Many humans would choose to just die alone. I have rabbits and as soon as you introduce a male to a female, no matter how ugly he is, they’ll shag within seconds and be done. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/11 "2020-05-15T07:50:41Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Also, don’t most males of most species in the animal kingdom “choose” their mates whether they (the mates) like it or not? You seem to be under the impression that females of [name a species] don’t have sexual urges. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/12 "2020-05-15T08:30:20Z")
I can’t find it in a search, but vaguely recall either a thread or a column with a title like “Are Swans Rapists?” where the consensus was that female swans aren’t determined to die virgins, but are holding out for a mate with specific physical or behavioral traits. So yeah, female swans apparently have a “type.” ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/13 "2020-05-15T09:07:43Z")
> [@Horatio\_Hellpop](#): > > I can’t find it in a search, but vaguely recall either a thread or a column with a title like “Are Swans Rapists?” where the consensus was that female swans aren’t determined to die virgins, but are holding out for a mate with specific physical or behavioral traits. So yeah, female swans apparently have a “type.” The way it is supposed to go is that the swans mate for life at a young age. The courtship rituals presumably maximize the chances of reproductive success. As for the allegations of rape, it turns out in that case the lady was raped by a god. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/14 "2020-05-15T10:57:54Z")
Any particular characteristic, male or female, could end up being selected for. That characteristic could be considered to be a “preference” or a “type”. Assuming that the offspring will be both male and female you might end up with that preference being reinforced by both genders. i.e. The males offspring will receive the genes for the characteristic and at the same time the females offspring receive the genes for the preference (or vice-versa) And on we go. As long as the inherited trait remains useful to the creature (or at least not a mortal hindrance) it stands a chance of proliferating. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/15 "2020-05-15T11:31:18Z")
It is tautological that attractive characteristics are attractive, but the question is whether such characteristics are (or were at one point) correlated with reproductive success, meaning numerous and fit offspring. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/16 "2020-05-15T11:43:07Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > the question is whether such characteristics are (or were at one point) correlated with reproductive success, meaning numerous and fit offspring. That is evolution in a nutshell. I don’t believe the genes for a such a characteristic could spread to the majority without being correlated with reproductive success. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/17 "2020-05-15T12:34:22Z")
But we’re not just talking about animals being attracted to particular traits. We’re talking about different animals preferring different traits. Peahens are attracted to cocks with big fancy tails, but all or nearly all peahens share that preference: No peahen would refer to fancy tails as being “her type”. But if some hens prefer big green tailfeathers, and others prefer big blue tailfeathers, then that could be said to be a “type”. ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/18 "2020-05-15T13:00:02Z")
Most human observations rely on visual information like size of mate, color, … Whereas in my experience, animals rely much more on their smell and hearing (both of which extend beyond human limits in terms of sensitivity and resolution). Since, we cannot perceive these cues, I am not sure we will make good observers of what is being selected. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/19 "2020-05-15T14:03:05Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > But we’re not just talking about animals being attracted to particular traits. We’re talking about different animals preferring different traits. Peahens are attracted to cocks with big fancy tails, but all or nearly all peahens share that preference: No peahen would refer to fancy tails as being “her type”. But if some hens prefer big green tailfeathers, and others prefer big blue tailfeathers, then that could be said to be a “type”. Evolution is just the scenario you suggest writ large. At some point an individual or a limited group preference selected for a characteristic that became more widespread. In other cases it never got further than that individual preference, perhaps because that preference or that characteristic was not inherited but I don’t doubt that such preferences exist. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786/20 "2020-05-15T15:33:25Z")
Evolution _could_ be that scenario writ large. If the different preferences persist long enough, and are at least partly genetic, then you could eventually see a split into a Blue Peacock species and a Green Peacock species. But more often, when a species splits, it’s because of geographic separation and either random founder effects, or different external environments. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-nonhuman-animals-have-types-that-they-look-for-in-mates/853786.md?page=2)