A recent study found that queer animals are common in the wild, far more than we previously thought. This study, conducted via ancestral reconstruction and a series of statistical analyses on behaviors seen both in captivity and the wild, came to the conclusion that, of mammalian species alone, 50% of the families, and 63% of the orders, have exhibited same-sex behaviors.
These patterns occur both in captivity and the wild, lending to the assertion that gay and lesbian animals are not manufactured via environment. The study, conducted by scientists at Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, states, “Albeit acknowledging that these findings may change if more data on same-sex sexual behaviour are reported, these results support the hypothesis that same-sex sexual behaviour has been favoured evolutionarily as a way to establish, maintain, and strengthen social relationships that may increase bonds and alliance between members of the same group.”
These behaviors include mating behaviors, courting behaviors, pair bonding, and raising young together. While the most common examples of these behaviors usually occur in other primates, we have also seen many examples among birds, reptiles, and invertebrates. Another note is that same-sex mates are seen more often in male animals than female animals, but that is not to say that lesbian animal couples are nonexistent. They either occur far less or are simply noticed less. The study itself says, “Same-sex sexual behavior appears to be equally frequent in both sexes in mammals, as female same-sex sexual behavior has been recorded in 163 species and male same-sex sexual behavior in 199 species.”
Animals and humans do not only have sexualities in common. There are also trans animals, such as lionesses who begin growing manes and peahens who grow stately blue plumage like peacocks do. Clownfish and many types of lizards are among animals who change their sex and gender.
