Scientists Witness a Mysterious Sexual Bond Between a Bull And a Male Donkey
"Animal behavior is not a picture painted in black and white: It uses the whole palette, with all the colors of the rainbow." Don't miss a story, subscribe here.
An unusual bond between a male donkey and a bull has baffled scientists, shedding new light on social and sexual interactions between animals. In ancient Greek mythology, Achilles and Patroclus were two heroes whose intense relationship was believed to be sexual. In a modern study, researchers discovered a similar bond between Achille, a bull, and Patroclo, a donkey.
The two males, belonging to different owners, were spotted engaging in behaviors such as licking, rubbing, and mounting each other. While rare, this type of interspecies relationship has been observed in other animals, including snow monkeys and fur seals. Dr. Elisabetta Palagi of the University of Pisa, who co-authored the study, described the bond as "really, really unusual" and the first of its kind reported in literature.
The researchers studied the two animals over four days and found that mounting behavior was not solely attributed to sexual arousal, but also played a role in prolonging social interaction. Palagi added that the relationship brought benefits, both in terms of attention and potential support. While the exact nature of the bond remains unclear, the study highlights the importance of exploring diverse behaviors in the animal kingdom.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
