An unusual sexual bond between a bull and a male donkey
Sex between animals of the same sex is widespread in nature. But researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on Nov. 2 describe an unusual partnership involving an ongoing sexual relationship between a bull and a male donkey living on an Ethiopian plateau.
A bull named Achille and a male donkey known as Patroclo formed an unusual, ongoing sexual and social bond while living on an Ethiopian plateau, according to researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology. Despite both animals having access to other potential partners of the opposite sex and their own species, they consistently chose to interact with each other, including frequent mounting, licking, rubbing, and nuzzling.
This behavior persisted over a 14-day period, with 51 mountings observed between the bull and donkey. The researchers noted that neither animal appeared to show avoidance or defensive reactions towards their chosen partner, suggesting that this bond was part of a broader, selective social relationship rather than a simple lack of alternative mating opportunities.
The findings challenge the notion that sexual behavior is solely driven by reproduction and highlight the potential social functions of such interactions.
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