Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2017 | Page 75

w dance their way into each other’s hearts – during the mating season male adder snakes take to the stage for a hypnotic display to show off their dominance and supremacy to nearby females. The ‘dance of the adders’, performed by two or more males, occurs at the start of the breeding season. Entwining their bodies around each other, the male adders wrestle one another trying to gain height and dominance and pushing, twisting and rolling over until one of them relents. If this slithering, swaying show of strength is enough to win over the nearby female, the victor wins the chance to mate with her. In springtime you can take a ringside seat at the mating ritual of our brown hares. They’re usually solitary creatures but at this time of year you might glimpse females fending off passionate mating urges from the males. The pugilists are actually the females, spurning the advances of amorous males by boxing their prospective partners. If you’re lucky you can see females does standing on their hind legs and using their front to paws to literally box with the male bucks. Through this they test the males’ strength before deciding whether to proceed on the next step of courtship. With their activity much more noticeable before grass and crops in our countryside have grown up to their full height, it is not surprising that the ‘mad March hare’ has come to have such a strong connection with the spring. Turning to our seas, seahorses are often thought to be very romantic species – males and females come together every morning to ‘dance’ together and reinforce their relationship. During this beautiful ritual, they often entwine their tails and move round each other. Famously females transfer their eggs into the male’s pouch, and he later gives birth to miniature offspring. Sea hares, like all sea slugs are hermaphrodite, meaning that have both male and female reproductive organs. When it comes to mating time, they often form love chains acting as female and male to different partners simultaneously when mating! Both seahorses and sea hares can be found in the lush underwater seagrass meadows in our Solent seas. This spring keep your eyes peeled for the wild romances unfolding right on your doorstep! Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, working for a better future for wildlife and wild places in Hampshire and the Island. Phone: [phone] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hiwwt.org.uk Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Beechcroft House, Vicarage Lane, Curdridge, Hampshire, SO32 2DP Country life Photo: Adder by Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography Photo: Boxing hares by Tony Bates Photo: Great crested grebes by Steve Waterhouse Join us today and enjoy the benefits of being a member of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust: • Unlimited visits to 57 wildlife reserves in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and 2,500 reserves nationwide. • A welcome pack when you join. • Wildlife, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s magazine, delivered to you three times a year. • The chance to take part in local group and community activities, offering you a variety of opportunities to be involved in. More than 350 walks, talks and events throughout the two counties. • Join by Direct Debit & receive your FREE full colour Local Wildlife Reserve Guide. www.visitilife.com 75