No Sex Please We Are Animals!

I was walking my two little dogs on the beach the other day. As usual, they were their usual obedient little souls; not very much. I started thinking I needed a Dr. Doolittle person to get inside their minds.

It was a cool day, but there was no wind, and the ocean was quite still. A small pod of dolphins frolicked in the small waves. That made me think: I wonder if they are having sex?

Yes, I know, crazy thought, right? It stemmed from a conversation I had with a friend the night before. We were discussing how painful it can be for a female when dogs mate. I commented that dolphins are the only other animals that have sex for pleasure.

My question is, how do we know?

Did Dr. Doolittle ask them?

Why not monkeys?

If we are so closely related to apes and monkeys, why don’t they have sex for pleasure?

Many animals enjoy sex for pleasure, not just humans. Some might argue that not all people find it pleasurable, but hear me out. There are several animals that also have sex for pleasure.

Sex-Loving Animals

Dolphins – the marine mammals are best known for their sexual antics. Their sexual behavior comes from the vulva of female dolphins. It is surprisingly similar to the shape of human females.

Behavioralists have found, after much observation, that animals mate whenever they choose. They don’t stick to a specific time of year for mating. This includes times when conceiving is not possible, such as during pregnancy. Dolphins often touch each other's genitalia using their flippers, snouts, and flukes.

Lions - Researchers think lions enjoy sex. They mate many times in a short span and breed all year round. Female lions are real hussies. They will shamelessly flirt with males once their cubs have been weaned. They do this because they need sexual penetration to stimulate further ovulation. Males, being typical males, seldom say no!

The end result is that lions can mate every 20 to 30 minutes over 3 to 4 days, which amounts to 200 to 300 times over 3 days! The whole mating process takes less than a minute.

Our primate relatives

Gorillas have sex for pleasure. If males reject them, females may engage in lesbian sex. In fact, many species of primates are notorious for their homosexual behavior. Scientists have seen female gorillas climbing on each other. They also push their bellies and genitals together.

Macaque monkeys have sex for pleasure. Research shows that females often orgasm with high-ranking males. This suggests a stronger arousal during these encounters.

Our closest relative is the chimpanzee. They are quite promiscuous, especially the females. Chimps often have sex just for pleasure. A key sign is that they will mate even when it can't lead to reproduction, like when a female is already pregnant. Dominant males will also commit the equivalent of sexual assault or rape.

The least sexual animal

This award would have to go to the giant panda. Their lack of interest in sex is one reason why they are endangered. Females have only one estrus cycle a year, which lasts 1 to 3 days. So males have to be ‘on call’ at exactly the right time, or it's over until next year. (A bit like some people only get sex on their birthday!)

Our knowledge of animal sex comes mainly from scientists who research and watch animals during mating. Combined with hormonal patterns, they then make assumptions based on their observations. Perhaps only Dr. Doolittle can give us honest answers.

Do those scientists go home and say, “Not tonight, dear, I’ve seen enough sex for one day”? Or does it make them want more?

And we thought we were so special!

Till next time,

Calvin