How Fast Can Snakes Travel

penditure of energy in these directions is relatively low. This might allow a greater amount of energy to be used in fighting and mating. If a dominant male has conquered the other males in a cage, there seems to be no other activity which will drain off his energy except that of mating. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the mating behavior might be abnormal. Numerous writers have pointed out that the female lizard takes no part in the courtship activity but usually runs away. For this reason they argue that the male's bright colors and courtship behavior have no significance in sexual selection. Observations made in the present study suggest that the mere flight of the female from the performing male quite probably signifies acceptance of the male and is therefore a very definite part of the complete courtship pattern and should be considered as an important phase of the mating instinct. Although her response is a negative one we need not assume that it is of negative value in leading the male to her. The flight of the female in many other vertebrates (including man) certainly makes the male more persistent in courtship.