Animal Sexual Behaviour

Animal sexual behaviour takes many different forms, even within the same species. Among animals, researchers have observed monogamy; promiscuity; sex between species; sexual arousal from objects or places; sex apparently via duress or coercion; copulation with dead animals; homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual sexual behaviour; situational sexual behaviour; and a range of other practices. Related studies have noted diversity in sexed bodies and gendered behaviour, such as intersex and transgender animals. Animal sexual behavior relates primarily to reproduction and the perpetuation of species.

The study of animal sexuality (especially that of primates) is a rapidly developing field. It used to be believed that only humans and a handful of other species performed sexual acts other than for procreation, and that animals' sexuality was instinctive and a simple response to the "right" stimulation (sight, scent). Current understanding is that many species that were formerly believed monogamous have now been proven to be promiscuous or opportunistic in nature; a wide range of species appear both to masturbate and to use objects as tools to help them do so; in many species animals try to give and get sexual stimulation with others where procreation is not the aim; and homosexual behaviour has now been observed among 1,500 species and in 500 of those it is well documented. Animal sexual behavior involves struggle between many males. Female animals select males only if they are strong and able to protect themselves or not. For example, if a male animal fights against another male animal of the same species then the animal that wins the fight will have the chance to mate with the higher number of females and also he will pass on his genes to his offspring, who pass on their genes to the next offspring in line.