A Natural History of Sex: The Ecology and Evolution of Mating BehaviorDescribed by the author as a book "about the weird diversity of sexual behavior," A Natural History of Sex explores "how to look at life, how to analyze and speculate about why something is as it is and not otherwise." In a series of engaging essays, Forsyth considers a host of more specific questions, which run the gamut from the obscure and the bizarre to the familiar. Why do roosters crow and waggle their wattles? Why does it benefit the female human to remain inscrutable about her sexual cycle? Who instituted monogamy? Why would a male mite copulate with its mother? Why does the male bedbug drive its "outlandish, formidable penis" into the female's abdomen? Forsyth's highly observational mind ranges over the natural world, revealing the seemingly random patterns and consequences of animal sexual behavior. This classic reference is a must for anyone who has ever wondered just what it is that makes the world go round. |
From inside the book
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... nest inside a tree cavity , it protrudes conspicuously outside the hole . The reason for hole - nesting in the first place is usually to avoid pred- ators , but the brilliant dangling tail of the male quetzal seems like a beacon for ...
... nest to spawn and then sink slowly down be- tween the female and the resident male . This confuses the resident male , who behaves as though he is still next to the female . The three circle around the nest , and when the female ...
... nest is com- munal , and one female has to begin the laying bout . Normally , the first egg laid is tossed . A nonlaying female usually removes it . She may carry it out to a limb and peck it open , and many members , including the ...
Contents
How to Look at Life | 9 |
Sperm Competition | 16 |
Transvestites Rapists and Dwarfs | 27 |
Copyright | |
17 other sections not shown