The Bull And Male Donkey Who Choose Each Other Again And Again (For Sex)
Researchers documented an ongoing sexual relationship and deep social bond between a bull and a male donkey on a plateau in Ethiopia. Scientists from the University of Pisa observed the pair engaging in sexual intercourse alongside affectionate behaviors including licking, rubbing, and nuzzling. While same-sex behavior occurs widely across the animal kingdom, this cross-species pairing has baffled experts due to its persistent and tender nature. The animals were initially spotted by students who were deployed to study gelada monkeys grazing on the same grassy plateau.
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- ✓ A bull and a male donkey in Ethiopia formed an ongoing sexual and social relationship, according to research published in Current Biology.
- ✓ Scientists observed the pair engaging in sexual intercourse alongside behaviors such as licking, rubbing, and nuzzling.
- ✓ The interaction was initially noticed by research students sent to study gelada monkeys on an Ethiopian plateau.
- ✓ Elisabetta Palagi, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Pisa, sent the research team to the region.
What changed
Researchers published documented observations of the ongoing sexual and social partnership between the bull and male donkey in Ethiopia.
Live updates
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Bull and Male Donkey Form Close Inter-Species Sexual Bond
Researchers documented an ongoing sexual relationship and deep social bond between a bull and a male donkey on a plateau in Ethiopia. Scientists from the University of Pisa observed the pair engaging in sexual intercourse alongside affectionate behaviors including licking, rubbing, and nuzzling. While same-sex behavior occurs widely across the animal kingdom, this cross-species pairing has baffled experts due to its persistent and tender nature. The animals were initially spotted by students who were deployed to study gelada monkeys grazing on the same grassy plateau.
Why it matters
Scientists published the findings in the journal Current Biology on November 2, detailing the unexpected partnership between the two farm animals. The discovery offers fresh insight into animal sexuality and behavior, demonstrating that strong social and sexual bonds can cross both species and gender boundaries in unexpected ways.
What is confirmed
- A bull and a male donkey in Ethiopia formed an ongoing sexual and social relationship, according to research published in Current Biology.
- Scientists observed the pair engaging in sexual intercourse alongside behaviors such as licking, rubbing, and nuzzling.
- The interaction was initially noticed by research students sent to study gelada monkeys on an Ethiopian plateau.
- Elisabetta Palagi, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Pisa, sent the research team to the region.
- Same-sex behavior is common in animals, but a partnership between a bull and a male donkey is described as extremely unusual.
What to watch next
- Further scientific observation or behavioral analysis regarding inter-species bonding
- Additional commentary from evolutionary biologists on the mechanics of the relationship
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (14)
- Defector — The Bull And Male Donkey Who Choose Each Other Again And Again (For Sex)
- Scientific American — This bull and male donkey formed an unusually deep social—and sexual—bond
- The Times — Scientists amazed by bull and donkey’s same-sex relationship
- 조선일보 — Male Cow, Donkey Exhibit Cross-Species Affection
- Phys.org — An unusual sexual bond between a bull and a male donkey
- The Guardian — ‘It’s really, really unusual’: tender bond between male donkey and bull baffles scientists
- ScienceAlert — Scientists Witness a Mysterious Sexual Bond Between a Bull And a Male Donkey
- defector.com — The Bull And Male Donkey Who Choose Each Other Again And ...
- theconversation.com — When a bull falls for a donkey: what an unlikely relationship ...
- talker.news — Male donkey and bull form ‘unusual’ close relationship
- www.dailymail.com — Scientists discover 'unusual sexual bond' between bull and ...
- www.popsci.com — A bull and a male donkey’s sexual relationship turns heads
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