What specific term describes the tangle of one female surrounded by multiple vying males during courtship?
Answer
Breeding ball.
During the annual reproduction period, which typically occurs between April and May, the complex courtship ritual of the yellow anaconda often results in the formation of a structure known as a breeding ball. This phenomenon occurs when a female releases airborne pheromones, attracting numerous males who then compete for mating rights. The ensuing tangle involves one female at the center being completely enveloped by a mass of vying males. This intense aggregation can persist for a substantial duration, sometimes lasting as long as a full month, until the mating process is finalized, usually with the largest and strongest male achieving copulation access.
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