7 courtship rituals from the animal kingdom

1. The Bowerbird
   The Bowerbird's courtship ritual involves the collection and display of a Bower. The bower varies from species to species from a cleared patch of earth to an elaborate hut or covered walkway constructed out of sticks and leaves. These bowers are then decorated with brightly coloured objects, feathers, shells, and other trinkets. The female then inspects the neighbouring bowers and selects the best, before choosing her mate.
2. The Hedgehog
   The hedgehog's way of attracting a mate involves walking round and round the female hedgehog; sometimes for hours on end until she decides she is ready to mate. Once mating has occurred, both hedgehogs go their separate ways.
3. The Scorpion
   The mating dance of a scorpion pair involves the male and female locking claws and dancing in circles for an hour or more until they come across a suitable stone. The male then excavetes a 'nuptual chamber' and they retreat into it. Post coitus, the female will often devour the male.
4. The Sandhill Crane
   The courtship ritual of the Sandhill Crane starts with a long staccato duet before moving into an elaborate ballet where they take turns in bowing, crouching and leaping in the air, flapping their wings furiously.
5. The Blyth Giant Frog
   The Blyth Giant Frog ritual starts with the male excavating a sandy basin surrounded by water. He then sits in the middle of the basin and sings until a female arrives. She then enlarges the basin before swimming around it laying eggs whilst the male fertilizes them behind her.
6. The Southern Painted Turtle
   The male Southern Painted Turtle grows long toenails and during courtship he will swim just in front or just above the female and wave his nails in her face until she agrees to mate.
7. The Blue Crab
   Female Blue Crabs only mate during the final moult when they are in a soft shell condition. 2 or 3 days before mating, the male will cradle carry the female and protect her soft shell from predators. After mating he continues to carry her until her shell hardens again.