World · Africa · 1 hr ago
Scientists observe repeated sexual interactions between a bull and a donkey
Scientists from the University of Pisa observed a bull called Achille and a male donkey called Patroclo on an Ethiopian plateau.
From March 6 to March 19, they recorded 51 mountings between the two animals.
The males also stayed close and licked, rubbed and nuzzled each other, while Patroclo accepted Achille’s advances.
Both animals had access to other potential partners, including females and animals of their own species.
The researchers say the behaviour was part of a selective and consistent social relationship, not just an isolated encounter.
They cannot yet say what purpose the interactions served or whether they brought any benefit.
Further research will examine whether the behaviour helps build social bonds, maintain relationships or reduce tension.
Researchers documented repeated sexual interactions between a bull and a male donkey in Ethiopia.
The animals, named Achille and Patroclo, were observed mounting each other 51 times from March 6 to March 19.
They also spent time close together and engaged in affiliative behaviors such as licking, rubbing and nuzzling.
Both animals had access to other potential partners, but repeatedly sought each other out.
Researchers said the observations point to a selective social relationship, but its function remains unclear.
- Who
- Achille, a bull, and Patroclo, a male donkey.
- What
- Researchers observed repeated mounting and other affiliative behaviors between them.
- When
- March 6 to March 19; the year is not stated.
- Where
- A pasture on a plateau in Ethiopia.
- Why
- Not stated. Researchers said the function of the interactions is unclear.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers studying gelada monkeys in Ethiopia noticed Achille and Patroclo interacting in a nearby grazing area.
Researchers observed 51 mountings between the bull and the donkey.
- Animals
- Achille, a bull; Patroclo, a male donkey
- Location
- Plateau in Ethiopia
- Observed mountings
- 51
- Observation period
- March 6 to March 19
- Other potential partners
- Both animals had access to partners of both sexes and their own species
4 sources
An interspecies gay love story: Scientists discover an 'unusual sexual bond' between a bull and a male donkey
This bull and donkey show interspecies homosexual bonds can run deep
A bull and a male donkey’s sexual relationship turns heads
Scientists Witness a Mysterious Sexual Bond Between a Bull And a Male Donkey
What people are saying
Nature does not always respect the boundaries we draw around it.
Yet they repeatedly sought each other out.
Our observations suggest that it cannot be easily explained simply by a lack of alternative mating opportunities, although we cannot say from this study exactly what function these sexual interactions may have had.
They repeatedly chose to stay close to each other and engaged in many different affiliative behaviors, such as licking, rubbing, and nuzzling, alongside the repeated mounting behavior.