Display (zoology) - Among Animals

Among Animals

Animals use display behaviors and markings as signals to other animals, usually of the same species. Although there is a great variety in the manner of display in animals, they are usually meant as honest advertisements of the health, vigor, and/or toxicity of the possessor. Within a species, these are typically seen in the competition for mates. This can be either through intimidation of same-sex rivals, or wooing of the females or both. An example of wooing-style courtship display is the nest a male bowerbird builds to attract females. Other animals, such as fiddler crabs, advertise the size of their enlarged claw to intimidate their rivals. As mentioned, animals may also use display behavior during direct competition between them for a resource other than mates. In animals that are so well-armed by the nature of their ecological niches, a physical confrontation may equal death for one or all of those involved. In these cases, using a display behavior that allows the animal to estimate the opponent's fighting ability, may save the costs and risks of fighting an unnecessary battle. Examples of this behavior may be found in the world of beetles, birds, mammals and more.