DAT Bootcamp Animal Behavior Practice Exam

Energy cost of reproduction is uneven between sexes, and the sex that typically spends the most energy during mating is the one investing more in offspring. Producing eggs is energetically expensive, and in many species females also carry pregnancies and, after birth, provide substantial care or nutrition (like lactation). That hefty energy demand means mating and reproduction are high-cost investments for females, shaping behaviors like selective mate choice and strategic timing to maximize offspring survival. While males often expend energy in courtship and competition, the overall energy burden during the mating process tends to be greater for females. There are exceptions—some species feature substantial male parental care or biparental care—but the general pattern is that females invest more energy in reproduction, making them the group that typically dedicates more energy to mating.