Yes, size does matter when it comes to being a good candidate for a partner , and that encompasses the dimensions of the body in general. Having a good stature and well-developed muscles are a plus . From an evolutionary point of view, the strongest men give women a sense of security : a psychological detail that dates back millions of years, when strength was a key factor for the survival of the family or even the entire clan.
This also happens in other species , which are more successful in terms of male power . In some of them, the males must fight each other to evaluate who is the strongest and thus be able to mate with the females. It is a direct, hand-to-hand competition. For example, deer and gorillas stick together. The loser is usually badly injured and even dies, and the winner has exclusive access to the females. For this reason, in these species, the sexual dimorphism or difference in size between the male and the female – more than double in the case of gorillas – is so great. The strongest have been passing their genes – with their corresponding physical characteristics – to their offspring. Studies in paleontology reveal in the last millions of years an accentuation of the characteristics that attract or serve to compete with other males, such as increased horns, teeth, manes or crests .
But in most species sex is not so dangerous . To copulate you do not have to finish with the opposite, but rather show yourself off and show the skills you have. Snakes twist their bodies just like teenagers do stunts in front of girls . They take note, and the best are the ones who link.
In our species, there is not a very marked sexual dimorphism. Men are only 10% larger than women. That means there have been no deadly disputes. In this sense, we are more like some birds , where the competition is indirect and each male has to show the best version of himself separately. And it is that the duels of force are very expensive and can end badly for one or both parties in contention. So the men show themselves in the game or the sport and they evaluate them. So you know who is stronger without having to really fight.
Other elements that are used in courtship are symbols of power or status, such as the house or the car brand . In this sense we are not very different from other primates. In several species of our order there is a direct correlation between range and reproductive success. The extreme case is that of Japanese macaques, which have more orgasms the higher the social position of the male with whom they mate .
More information in the report What can we learn from animal sex? The best strategies to find a partner , written by Pablo Herreros. You can read it in number 429 of Muy Interesante.
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