The Secret World of Pet Mating Rituals

For all the diverse behaviors, courtship and mating can present a set of dangerous dining dates, antler fights, serenades, and life-lasting bonds. Their courtship often brings together socially learned behaviors and animal instincts to find companionship and mate for life.

Female porcupines release substances called pheromones, which attract the males. A battle of dominant horns may then ensue for the grand prize of mating.

Dogs

Selection in Mate Dog Mating Selection in Dog Mating The mating behavior is very complex and instinct driven. During the time of estrus, the female dog would produce pheromones that would attract male dogs from substantial distance. This would cause the male to behave by sniffing and sometimes mounting the female while the female being receptive would tail lift or assume a mating posture. The male dogs, obviously under the effect of hormones, would be restless, pacing, or simply whining to attract the attention of a potential partner.

After that, the male mounts from behind and with rapid thrusting inserts his penis and ejaculates into her reproductive tract. They then get "tied up" because of the swelling of the distal part of his penis, called the bulbus glandis; a sudden effort from either partner to disengage that mating would seriously injure both animals involved, and they would be released once that swelling goes down, which could take anywhere between 60 and 140 days for pregnancy and birthing of puppies in dogs.

Guinea Pigs 

At Cavy Spirit, we receive many requests for additional male or female guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are social animals and usually do well living with another guinea pig; some unfortunately cannot for various reasons. 

The first step is to assure a decent amount of space (see cage advice above) and intently watch their behavior at the introduction. Ideally, they'd come bouncing up, sniff, rumble, and mount each other without any fighting; this doesn't always happen though.

If fighting is about to break out, separate the guinea pigs at once to prevent too much trouble. An older guinea pig may do well with youngsters to establish the natural hierarchy amongst them.

Cats 

Felines do breed on heat: Female cats remain in "heat" for about a week at least once a year. During this time, the female will vocalize to attract males and scent-mark to invite males near. When it is time, she will roll her body--a clear signal that she is accepting mating.

The mating season for the cat can be almost any day, but the pregnancy during the estrus cycle may only occur. It is best to spay or neuter your female cat before the start of the breeding cycle to avoid possible pregnancies. 

Cat genitalia are covered with tiny spines which stimulate female ovulation. While not pain- or blood-inducing, these spines create an electrical-shock-like hormonal reaction during mating that will have female cats meowing loudly while biting male cats in a show of aggression and dominance.

Lovebirds 

Agapornis contains nine species of lovebirds that are commonly kept as pets: Fischer's, rosy-faced and masked lovebirds are the three most often kept as companions. When kept alone they tend to be friendly and tame but can sometimes become aggressive towards other pets or humans.

Lovebirds in the wild often pair bonds to build nests together, employing naturally sourced materials like palm leaves and bark strips. 

Goldfish 

Following a unique sort of ballroom dance that may last for hours, the male actively nudges the female from the side or rear, encouraging her egg release. 

Pheromones are released by the female goldfish to alert male goldfish that the breeding time is on. The male would then rub his vent to release sperm which is used to fertilize the eggs of the female fish on which he sprays milt, while at the same time, continues chasing her around until all eggs are fertilized. 

Goldfish spawning can be encouraged in response to the heating of water to 68-72°F and regular partial water changes. After fertilization, eggs will turn translucent and black markings will develop into eyes within a few days.

Snakes 

Snakes might seem like awkward heaps of flesh, but they actually perform a complicated courtship dance. Garter snakes and copperheads are known to form mating balls of several males around females, all contesting for their chances in the very act of conception.

When a female snake comes into breed, she smells her pheromones the male can perceive with the tongue. After that he uses strokes, punches, and jerks to coax her tail up so he can insert one of his own pair of penises (hemipenes) into her reproductive opening (cloaca).