The Mating Game Mating, or copulation, is probably the most important behaviour that any animal performs in its life. After all, if an animal wants to pass on its genes, its strengths and its individuality, it has to mate and produce offspring.
Crocodilians only mate at certain times of year, within a two to three month period.
During this time, however, they expend a lot of time communicating with each other, defending territories, attracting or searching for mating partners, and undertaking courtship. Adult males in particular can become extremely aggressive towards other males. This aggression does not always lead to conflict, and males spend a lot of time communicating with each other. Dominant animals raise their backs out of the water to increase their visibility, which is normally enough to dissuade potential rivals. Watching two males signalling and moving around each other is like watching a carefully choreographed ballet.