The animal world is full of strange and interesting behaviors that help different species survive. Let’s explore five of the most unusual animal behaviors that show just how amazing wildlife can be.
Praying mantises have one of the most surprising behaviors in nature. After mating, the female mantis often eats the male. This might sound shocking, but it’s normal for mantids. The female uses the male as a high-energy meal to help her eggs grow. Sometimes, she even bites off the male’s head during mating, but the process continues without stopping.
The drongo is a clever bird found in Africa. It has a sneaky way of getting food. First, it gains the trust of meerkats by warning them about dangers like eagles. Once the meerkats trust the drongo, it makes a fake alarm call, causing them to run away and leave their food behind. The drongo then grabs the insects or scorpions. It can only trick the same group once, but it has another trick: it can mimic the meerkats’ lookout call to steal food again.
The manakin bird, found in Brazil, has a special way of attracting a mate. The male performs a unique dance that looks like a moonwalk, sliding backward on a branch. This dance is very competitive, and only the best dancers get to mate. This shows how important physical performance is in the manakin’s mating rituals.
In Japan, mysterious circular patterns have been found on the ocean floor. At first, people thought aliens made them, but they are actually created by small fish related to puffers. Male fish make these designs, which can be up to 2 meters wide, to attract females. They do this by swimming along the ocean floor and moving sand with their fins, showing off their artistic skills underwater.
The Suriname sea toad from South America has a special way of raising its young. Instead of laying eggs that turn into tadpoles, this toad lays eggs in pockets on her back. This gives extra protection to the young. When the baby toads are ready, they pop out from her back fully formed, not as tadpoles. This is an amazing survival strategy.
These unusual behaviors show us the incredible diversity and adaptability of life on Earth. Each species has developed unique ways to thrive, making the animal kingdom endlessly fascinating.
Imagine you are a praying mantis. Create a short skit with a partner to demonstrate the mating ritual of the mantis. One of you will play the role of the female mantis, and the other will be the male. Think about how the female uses the male as a high-energy meal and how this behavior helps her eggs grow. Perform your skit for the class and discuss what you learned about this unusual behavior.
Let’s play a game to understand the drongo’s deceptive tactics. One student will be the drongo, and the rest will be meerkats. The drongo will try to trick the meerkats by making alarm calls. If the meerkats run away, the drongo wins a point. Discuss how the drongo uses mimicry and deception to survive and how this affects the meerkats.
Get ready to show off your dance moves! Watch a video of the manakin bird’s moonwalk dance. Then, create your own dance routine inspired by the manakin’s performance. Compete in a dance-off with your classmates, and vote for the best dancer. Discuss how the manakin’s dance is important for attracting a mate and what this tells us about animal behavior.
Become an artist like the puffer fish! Use sand or a similar material to create your own “crop circle” design. Think about how the fish uses its fins to move the sand and create patterns. Share your artwork with the class and explain how these designs help the fish attract a mate. Discuss the role of creativity in animal behavior.
Create a model of the Suriname sea toad using clay or other craft materials. Design the toad with pockets on its back to represent where the eggs are laid. Once your model is complete, present it to the class and explain how this unique parenting method helps protect the young toads. Discuss the advantages of this survival strategy.
Animal – A living organism that feeds on organic matter, typically having specialized sense organs and nervous system and able to respond rapidly to stimuli. – The African elephant is a large animal that lives in the savannas and forests of Africa.
Behaviors – The actions or reactions of an organism, often in response to its environment. – The migratory behaviors of birds help them find warmer climates during winter.
Mating – The process by which animals come together to reproduce. – During the spring, many birds engage in elaborate mating rituals to attract a partner.
Survival – The ability of an organism to continue living and reproducing in its environment. – Camouflage is a survival strategy that helps animals avoid predators.
Food – Any nutritious substance that organisms consume to maintain life and growth. – Plants use sunlight to make their own food through the process of photosynthesis.
Dance – A series of movements that animals use to communicate or attract mates. – The honeybee performs a dance to inform other bees about the location of food sources.
Ocean – A vast body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth’s surface and is home to diverse marine life. – The ocean is home to many fascinating creatures, including dolphins and whales.
Fish – A cold-blooded vertebrate animal that lives in water, has gills, and typically has fins and scales. – Salmon are fish that migrate upstream to spawn in freshwater rivers.
Parenting – The care and nurturing provided by an organism to its offspring to ensure their survival and development. – In some bird species, both parents share the responsibilities of parenting by feeding and protecting their chicks.
Species – A group of similar organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. – The giant panda is an endangered species that lives in the bamboo forests of China.
