Courtship behaviours

• Courtship behaviours allow members of the same species to be distinguished from each other, since they will behave in similar ways.
• Courtship and mating are essential for the survival of a species, since these behaviours enable reproduction to occur.
• Courtship behaviours enable species to survive for several reasons. Firstly, individuals can recognise members of their own species, ensuring that mating only takes place between members of the same species (i.e. only allowing fertile offspring to be produced).
• Courtship behaviours also allow members of a species to identify a mate that is capable of breeding, since both partners must be sexually mature, fertile and receptive to mating.
• Courtship behaviours allow members of the same species to form a pair bond, leading to successful mating and raising of offspring.
• Courtship behaviours allow mating to be synchronised so that it takes place when there is maximum probability of the sperm and egg meeting.
• Courtship behaviours bring a member of the opposite sex into a physiological state that allows breeding to occur.