The three main types of mating systems in the animal kingdom are:
- Monogamy: This involves a single male and a single female mating exclusively with each other for a breeding season or for life. Examples include many bird species, like swans and geese.
- Polygyny: In this system, a single male mates with multiple females. This is common in mammals, including deer and lions.
- Polyandry: This is the opposite of polygyny, with a single female mating with multiple males. Examples include some species of birds, like the jacana.
These systems are not always clear-cut, and many species display variations or combinations of these basic mating types.
