Why Do Blackbuck Females “Dig” Dung?

You may have heard of swayamvaras in ancient India, where women chose their partners from competing suitors. What if animals followed a similar system?

In India, the iconic Blackbuck displays a fascinating mating strategy where females choose among displaying males. From inspecting territories to examining dung piles, subtle signals of scent, space, and behaviour shape reproductive success. This talk explores the science behind blackbuck mating arenas and the hidden cues guiding female choice in the wild.