Introduction - What is sexual behavior?

Current Meanings of the Term 3: Reproductive Behavior

Fertilization For the purpose of sexual reproduction, a certain sequence of actions has to be performed by females and males. In mammals, this sequence may lead to a joining of their sex organs and this, in turn, can result on the fertilization of a female sex cell (egg) by a male sex cell (sperm). However, fertilization alone is never enough, because it has to be followed by a successful pregnancy and birth.

3. The term "sexual behavior" can refer to all actions and responses necessary for fertilization.
This is the narrowest definition. It reflects the observation that each species of the higher animals is divided into two groups or sexes, male and female, and that they reproduce sexually. That is to say, males and females produce different but complementary sex cells (gametes). New life may begin to develop when a male sex cell (spermatozoon) unites with and thus fertilizes a female sex cell (ovum). In order to effect this fertilization, a male and a female individual have to go through a certain characteristic and very specific sequence of physical motions and responses. This sequence (or any part of it) is properly called sexual behavior.