Lylelovett666
Well-known member
I've looked on the web and can't find what takes these damn animals so long to do the deed.Can somone direct me to a website or explain what makes the guys sex machines?
Please to be explaining why mating takes so long
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I can help, but u gotta edit the bad word above, use dang instead.
Each species and each male is different, some take longer than others due to their size and amount they hold. Also once they are in the position, both seem comfortable and probably see no need to move. As far as I know, there is any amount of reasons for the coupling to continue, as in.... fed well and in no hurry, maybe it takes that long because it is suppossed to.... Maybe they swell up like dogs do? Could be any number or reasons, and I am not sure any one has looked into it as being important., but if they did it would be Frederick Prete. Google his name and he has a good size book on mantis to read. If one can afford it, I find I can't!
Each species and each male is different, some take longer than others due to their size and amount they hold. Also once they are in the position, both seem comfortable and probably see no need to move. As far as I know, there is any amount of reasons for the coupling to continue, as in.... fed well and in no hurry, maybe it takes that long because it is suppossed to.... Maybe they swell up like dogs do? Could be any number or reasons, and I am not sure any one has looked into it as being important., but if they did it would be Frederick Prete. Google his name and he has a good size book on mantis to read. If one can afford it, I find I can't!
Ntsees
Well-known member
The long duration is not just limited to mantids, but for other insects and arthropods as well (flies, beetles, etc.). That's just the way it is for these critters, unlike birds and mammals.
ajsmith141
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I always find that slightly changing the temperature and humidity can prompt a mantis to mate.
I believe the actual transfer of sperm to the female takes place within an hour or less. But I am pretty sure the reason for the long copulation is so that the male can prevent any other males from copulating with that particular female, thus giving better odds that his genes will be passed on.
It may also be a method that allows the male a chance to escape.
It may also be a method that allows the male a chance to escape.
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PhilinYuma
Well-known member
Yeah, that's the current theory; keeping other males from copulating with the female until at least some of his sperm have fertilized some of her eggs. The process of fertilization is very different (and more fun) in insects than it is in mammals. For anyone wanting to learn more aboout this topic, i strongly recommend the very readable Sex on Six Legs by Dr. Marlene Zuk, and for the more determined, Sperm Competition and Its Evolutionary Consequences in the Insects by Leigh Simmons.
