A Cross-Species Same-Sex Love Story
In Ethiopia, scientists documented repeated sex and bonding between a bull and a male donkey The post A Cross-Species Same-Sex Love Story appeared first on Nautilus .
In the highlands of Ethiopia, a bull and a male donkey formed a deep bond that included copulation and other friendly behaviors. The pair, named Achilles and Patroclo after characters in Homer's epic poetry, were observed engaging in the same-sex relationship for several weeks. The two animals, who lived in different herds, only interacted during daily shared pasture time.
Despite not spending the night together and being housed with other animals, the bull and donkey exhibited clear signs of affection towards each other. The scientists who studied the pair suggest that the close association between sexual behavior and friendly social contact may have been a contributing factor to their bond. They do not know the exact nature of the relationship, but it is possible that the animals felt sexual attraction or simply enjoyed each other's company.
After the study, the two were separated and sent to different pasture fields, leaving their bond untested.
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