Valentine's Day: Animal Mating Rituals Get A Little Wild (PHOTOS)

From The Nature Conservancy:

So you think you've had some strange dates? This Valentine's Day, The Nature Conservancy compiled the top 10 most bizarre examples of love in the wild.

"Nature can get pretty wild, especially when procreation is at stake," said Sanjayan, lead scientist of The Nature Conservancy. "While we may find mating habits of some critters bizarre, they just might remind you of someone you know."

Unfortunately, many of these creatures are at risk of disappearing forever because of habitat loss, climate change and other threats.

"Nature is powerful, but for many animals, their future now depends not only on their mating prowess but on what help we give them. If we don't protect their homes that future is in jeopardy," Sanjayan said.

Do these wild lovers remind you of anyone? (if so, you can send an e-card to a loved one!)

List and captions courtesy of The Nature Conservancy.

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Comments

[Leefeller]

08:19 PM on 02/14/2012

Bizarre And Utterly Wild Animal Mating Rituals do not come close to the reported bizarre mating rituals purported to happen in what may exist in Rick Santorum's mind!

[Ricardo Valentin]

07:07 PM on 02/14/2012

Why is there an ant in the photo that accompanies the cricket history. I there some sort of meta commentary there, you know subtle esopian cricket-ant innuendo or does the person choosing the photos can't tell an ant from a cricket? Hmmmm....

[choppychop]

06:02 PM on 02/14/2012

At least there were no penis jousting pictures.

[Assumed Name]

05:41 PM on 02/14/2012

...they've neglected homosapians. :o)

[DawgBone5]

04:38 PM on 02/14/2012

HP is nothing if not topical.

Publishing bizarre mating rituals on V-day.

[i the ys]

04:18 PM on 02/14/2012

When will the GOP introduce a bill to outlaw these shameful sexual practices?

You do recognize sarcasm I hope.

[SpeakupNation]

04:07 PM on 02/14/2012

"When lions mate, the coupling usually lasts only about 20 seconds. But, the pair will repeat the act every 20 minutes or so -- sometimes up to 40 times a day. This will continue for three to seven days straight, with the male and female neglecting to hunt or eat during the entire time."

These lions could relate to the cast of The Jersey Shore....

[KodiakT]

11:30 AM on 02/15/2012

No, i'd rather wake up next to a lion then a panty peeing snookie..

[JTWallace]

04:05 PM on 02/14/2012

Anything to get a woman. Those tricksters!

[JTWallace]

04:02 PM on 02/14/2012

Wow! Those females know how to keep a man don't they!

[Counterglow]

03:44 PM on 02/14/2012

You guys missed the best one: the antechinus. It's a mouselike Australian creature. By the end of mating season, the males have literally scr3wed themselves to death.

[SpeakupNation]

04:06 PM on 02/14/2012

Whatta way to go!

[Sealabian]

03:41 PM on 02/14/2012

Go here for truly bizarre and strange wild animal mating rituals:

http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Republican_Sex_Scandals

[arid]

06:19 PM on 02/14/2012

Those are weird sex behaviors. None of them would ever lead to mating for the purpose of progeny.

[Tuskin Roberts]

03:38 PM on 02/14/2012

Over time, the male's brain, eyes and organs dissolve until he turns into a small lump, releasing sperm whenever the female is ready to lay eggs.

Sort of like Stedman Graham.

[LONDON3]

03:35 PM on 02/14/2012

Lions just go for theirs .....Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr dammit, I'm takin it ..... LOL

[mr e vader]

03:14 PM on 02/14/2012

Just wait until prairie voles discover the internet...

[keep it solid]

03:26 PM on 02/14/2012

ha! good one :)

[KIVPossum]

03:09 PM on 02/14/2012

My mating ritual usually involves a bottle of wine, some lewd suggestions, and a few wags of my johnson.

[KDMac]

03:13 PM on 02/14/2012

I'm assuming a success rate at least in the 98th percentile?

[Sealabian]

03:42 PM on 02/14/2012

T.M.I.