Challenge hypothesis

The challenge hypothesis is a theory that explains how male animals use different strategies to compete for mates. Think of it like a game. In this game, the goal is to attract a mate and have babies. But there are many players (male animals) who also want to win the game.

Now, some animals have a lot of testosterone, which is a hormone that makes them stronger and more aggressive. These animals are called "high-testosterone" animals. Other animals have less testosterone and are called "low-testosterone" animals.

The challenge hypothesis says that high-testosterone animals are more likely to be aggressive and fight with other males to win the game. They might also show off their strength and try to impress females by doing things like roaring or displaying their colorful feathers.

Low-testosterone males, on the other hand, might not be as good at fighting, but they can still win the game by being sneaky. They might try to sneak up on females or court them with songs or dances.

So, the challenge hypothesis is like a theory of how different animals use different tactics to win the mating game. Some are more aggressive, while others are more sneaky. But no matter what tactic they use, the goal is the same: to have babies and pass on their genes to the next generation.