In General, Why Does a Female Animal Tend to Choose

Question

In general, why does a female animal tend to choose her mate more carefully than a male does?
A)Males tend to live longer than females.
B)Males do not produce as much sperm as females do eggs.
C)A female has more resources tied up in an egg than a male does in sperm.
D)Females use more of their resources in mate-attracting displays.

Accepted Answer

Females typically have a greater investment in reproducing offspring than males, due to the fact that they must provide nutrients and protection through their eggs. This means that the cost of choosing a poorly-matched mate is much higher for females than it is for males, as the female will likely have to invest a significant amount of resources in order to successfully nourish and protect her offspring. As a result, female animals tend to be more selective when choosing a mate, in order to maximize the likelihood of producing viable offspring.