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Humans are mammals. They procreate in the same way as elephants, horses or dolphins. But some animals have rather peculiar habits when it comes to procreation. Everybody knows that female mantises bite of the head of the male during their sexual intercourse, or that the testicles of a bee explode inside the queen. But here are some strange facts that you’ve probably never heard before!

Hyenas. We remember them as the hysterically laughing bad guys from The Lion King. Let me break some news to you: all hyenas have a penis. The females as well. Apparently, the male has to insert his penis in the females ‘penis’ (it’s actually just a really big clitoris, but it is capable of erection). Sounds difficult and we prefer not to imagine how they give birth 4 months later. Ouch!

Monkey see, monkey do? Bonobos are true sex addicts. They have sex to greet each other, to celebrate, they kiss and make up after a fight and they even have sex when they are bored. Even with family members, yuk! It is also the only animal that performs oral sex and kisses with tongue. Oh, and they really enjoy masturbating in group. After a conflict for example, two male leaders might sit face-to-face while rubbing their penises together.

Let’s switch to the ocean. You often hear that dolphins are much like humans. They enjoy sex, though not for long: the male ejaculates in about 12 seconds. The males can be very aggressive; they might try to force a female into sex. Sometimes they have homosexual encounters as well. The opposite of a dolphin would be a pig, whose orgasm lasts about 30 minutes. Nowadays in pig farms, most females are inseminated to make breeding faster and more efficient.

And I’m so happy I’m not a porcupine. The male urinates over the female, to see if she’s ready for paring. Don’t know about you but my libido would be about zero after a golden shower. However, if she is ready she shows him her lower belly (the only place where there are no quills) and he mounts her from behind. Don’t worry about giving birth, the spines only become hard some hours after birth.

Last but not least: Anglerfish. These are not only extremely ugly fish; they also seem to have little fun in their life. The females carry around a sort of parasite. Those are the remains of the male. The males are so small it’s really hard for them to find food, so they attach themselves to a female. Then they slowly start to degenerate until they are nothing more than a lump on the female’s skin, releasing sperm. And you though your ex was a pest!

Pretty amazing huh? If you’re interest in animals and natural sciences, stop by the Museo Civico di Zoologia on your visit to Rome. They have more than 5 million specimens on display! For a cheap and central accommodation, try renting the best apartments in Rome.