Male and female are terms we can use only for more advanced animals, like insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Simpler creatures, such as the earthworm and sponge, usually do not exist in two different sexes, or genders.
But among all animals that do exist as male or female, the numbers of males and females are amazingly equal. Just as the odds that a newborn baby will be a boy (or a girl) are about 50-50, so most animals produce offspring of both genders in equal numbers.
The animal that shows the greatest imbalance in the number of male and female offspring is the greyhound, with about 110 males born for every 100 females!
Related Posts
-
Why Do Male Lions have Manes but Not Females and What is a Lion’s Mane Used For?
The mane of the adult male lion is unique among cats, and is one of the most unique characteristics of the species. It makes the lion appear larger, and provides a good display…
-
How Does The Male Stickleback Build A Nest?
The threespine stickleback is always as much of a bully as a four-inch fish can be, but in the spring it turns a brilliant red and becomes more of a bully than ever.…
-
What Did Dr. Jane Goodall Learn About Male Chimpanzees?
Chimps use tools more than any other animal except man. One chimpanzee actually used an empty kerosene can as a tool to help him become "king." In the wild, chimpanzees live in small…
-
Why Do Male Goats Have Beards and What Is Goat Hair Used For?
Both male and female goats can have beards, just like humans. Got more questions? Is goat hair used for anything? Mohair and cashmere are both fancied-up names for material made from goat hair.…
-
Where Did the Expression “Male Chauvinist Pig” Come From and What Does it Mean?
The word chauvinism originally meant excessive patriotism and came from the name of Nicolas Chauvin, a French general who was known for his extreme devotion to Napoleon Bonaparte. "Male chauvinism" became a description…
-
Where Did the Slang Term “Dude” For Another Male Come From and What Does the Word Mean?
The word dude originated as a Victorian slang word for a man who was effeminate. It's a variation of dud or duds, from the Arabic word "dudde", which means cloak, and was a…
