This Bull and Male Donkey Have a Surprisingly Sexual Relationship, Providing Insights Into Interspecies and Same-Sex Bonds
The ungulates, dubbed Achille and Patroclo, chose each other repeatedly and showed affection before and after each rendezvous. Same-sex sexual encounters are common among animals of the same species, but less so between different ones
Researchers studying monkeys in Ethiopia witnessed a bull mounting a male donkey. Ecologist André Beirão da Cruz and colleagues observed the pair over multiple days, noting that the animals engaged in grooming, licking, and sexual activity even when other members of their own species were present. This unusual behavior between unrelated species has left scientists with many questions about the social and sexual dynamics between different species.
The researchers observed the two animals, nicknamed Achille and Patroclo, together for four days and apart for four days, recording 51 mountings, 34 of which involved penetration. The donkey initiated interactions by presenting his hindquarters and nibbling the bull. Both animals displayed affection and selectivity in their interactions.
While same-sex behaviors are common among some animals, they are typically observed within the same species. The behavior of the bull and donkey raises questions about what evolutionary purpose, if any, their relationship serves. Some experts suggest that the animals' domestication might influence their social behavior, but further study of wild animals would be necessary to draw broader conclusions.
Regardless, the relationship between Achille and Patroclo serves as a reminder of the diversity of animal behavior and the need for further research in behavior ecology.
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