Meiosis in animals primarily occurs in the reproductive organs, specifically in the gonads where gametes (egg and sperm) are produced. Here's where meiosis commonly takes place:

Testes (in males): Within the testes, meiotic divisions occur in specialized cells called spermatogonia to produce haploid sperm.

Ovaries (in females): In the ovaries, oogonia undergo meiosis to form female gametes. During early development, some oogonia enter meiosis, but the process is paused until further hormonal signals trigger meiotic resumption and completion just before ovulation.

It's important to note that the exact timing and specific meiotic stages might vary depending on the animal species and reproductive strategies. For instance, in some animals, meiosis is continuous and closely linked to gamete production, while in others, it can be more precisely regulated or even arrested at certain stages until suitable conditions are met for fertilization.