His Strategies
Stay Alive Fight Competitors
for food, territory, and rank in the pack. Higher-ranking males get the
first sitting at all meals and the best female companionship.
Mate Fight off competitors (like most mammals).
In some species, only alphas get to mate or win “female choice” awards (like
most birds and reptiles). Be sure to fluff your feathers and strut your stuff.
Maximize number of
surviving offspring
Mate often, with different females. The proverbial ‘quickie’ is the
safest way to not get caught with your prehistoric pants down. The more one
night stands you have, the more shots you get at genetic immortality.
Favorite Saying “Survival of the fittest”
Her Strategies
Stay Alive Stay alive as long
as possible. It’s the best way to maximize the number of offspring born and
to raise them to the point of self-sufficiency. Don’t pick a lot of fights. You could get killed. (You don’t have
to fight for mates; don’t worry, you’ll have more suitors than you want.) Do team up with other like minded females.
Everyone gets more food and sometimes free baby-sitting.
Mate Choose your mate carefully. You can
only have so many pregnancies, so you have to get really good at reading
nuances to judge suitors hardiness, genetic compatibility, and success as
providers.
Maximize number of
surviving offspring
Nurture offspring carefully. Thanks to the biological setup, you
don’t get as many chances as males to produce offspring. You have to make sure
the ones that you have make it. The best maternal instincts and mothering
skills will pass on to the next generation.
Favorite Saying “It takes a village”
