How Do Giraffes Have Sex?

Female giraffe preference

Although it doesn't always begin with a female, giraffe mating is often instigated by the cow. This means the female giraffe often shows interest in sex before the male. She then actively pursues male giraffes to mate her. Typically, female giraffes prefer large, dominant males. This is because they want their offspring to be strong and healthy. It is a natural instinct that helps keep the gene pool strong. When a female sees a large, dominant male giraffe, she begins rubbing her neck on his neck, back or legs. She might even follow him around for a while. This is her way to seducing him.

Male interest

The male giraffe then shows interest in the female by nudging her behind with his nose. This is more of a gentle rubbing than anything else. In fact, the males can also begin the interaction without female instigation. Male giraffes prefer young female giraffes. This is probably because they tend to be more fertile, so he has a better chance of spreading his seed.

Flehmen

The flehmen process comes next. This is when the female giraffe urinates and the male drinks a small portion of her urine. In fact, the reason the male nudges the female's behind is to stimulate her to urinate. The male can tell whether she is in season based on the taste and smell of her urine. It is quite distinct to a giraffe.

Courtship

Once it has been determined by the male that the female giraffe is indeed in season and fertile, he begins a courtship. There is nothing special or fancy about the way he courts her. In fact, he just follows her around for several hours or several days. Every once in a while he gets up on her hind quarters to see if she will accept his penis. The female typically plays hard to get for a while, walking away when he jumps up on her. In fact, she plays hard to get mainly to see if a larger, more dominant male will come around to mate her instead.

Intercourse

After several hours of playing hard to get, the female giraffe finally gives in to the male's advances. The next time he tries to mount her, she stands still and lets him. This is when he puts his penis inside her and ejaculates. The whole process is extremely short. In fact, it rarely even takes a minute for the actual intercourse to take place. If her egg is fertile and ready, and he has healthy sperm, the female giraffe will begin the gestational period.

Resources

• Bio.Davidson.Edu