10 Homosexual Animals

Scientific studies show an amazing variety of animals that engage in same-sex relationships. In this amazing list, you'll find "lesbian albatrosses" from Hawaii, male dolphins who have boyfriends, and same-sex pairs of gulls who take young to fly together.

(Total 10 photos)

1. Sheep

We are often told to advise sheep when we want to sleep, but the natural behavioral tendencies of rams actually keep scientists from sleeping soundly. Domestic sheep are the most numerous gay mammals. Scientific studies have shown that 8% of males can form pairs exclusively with males, refusing any contact with females. These same-sex couples do not mate, but they act as a lifelong couple. Homosexual herds stand out as an example of the various relationship statuses among animals, but of course they are less popular with farmers who seek to get as many sheep as possible.

2. Leysan albatrosses

In 2007, scientists studying Leysan albatrosses from Oahu noticed that 60% of the birds were females, and 31% of all albatross pairs were lesbian. These pairs of females show all the signs of closely related pairs, and also participate in nesting, kissing and a range of other attributes of the behavior of breeding albatrosses. Same-sex couples can persist, just like traditional ones - in one case, this lasted as long as 19 years. In New Zealand, same-sex pairs of royal albatrosses have recently found a tendency to nest together, suggesting that this may be a widespread phenomenon.

3. bottlenose dolphins

Dolphins have taken a position at the top tier of animal intelligence, and are comparable in cognitive and social abilities to chimpanzees and humans. There is great diversity in dolphin society, including numerous same-sex relationships. In one incredible case, a gay dolphin couple went through 17 years of relationship while researchers identified an entire pod of all-male dolphins who happened to be bisexual and had no shortage of romantic relationships, enjoying passionate encounters with members of the same sex or vice versa.

4. Bonobo

Bonobos, which resemble miniature chimpanzees, are not only one of the most intelligent animals in the world, but the closest relatives of humans. Living in colonies, bonobos are more good-natured compared to their often aggressive chimpanzee relatives. They are known for using the language of love rather than aggression to solve problems and communicate with each other. Since many conflicts occur between two males or between two females, homosexual relationships have become common among these monkeys. Sexual contacts are more common among females, but also occur among males, with contacts taking on a “play-fight” format. Bonobos are critically endangered and require the utmost efforts to protect them from conservationists.

5. Rooster from Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Rooster is a striking songbird of the woods that has an extremely striking appearance that pairs brilliant orange feathers with a huge crest. Notably, up to 40% of the males of this species engage in same-sex sexual encounters. Unlike sea birds, only males of this species make homosexual contacts. It is possible that gay behavior is associated with high population density, as well as extensive male competition for females. Same-sex contacts also satisfy the birds' desire to express their promiscuity and high mating potential, thereby increasing social stability among the birds.

6 African Lions

African lions, which attract harems of females, often act as symbols of traditional dominance, especially in patriarchal societies. However, a certain percentage of male African lions leave available females in order to create their own same-sex groups. Male lions have been observed making contact with other males and exhibiting behavioral nuances that are characteristic of same-sex couples. And while many other animal communities are structured in the same way, which can sometimes play to the advantage of same-sex mating, the reason for the male association of lions is unknown. Lions have one of the strongest sexual drives among felines, which means that the contacts are probably more ... targeted than the same sex among birds or rams.

7. Waterfowl and penguins

Homosexual relationships have been documented among wild Australian black swans, which sometimes form two-male tribal communities when they determine a nesting site. Incredibly, these two-male encounters actually led to an increase in breeding due to the effectiveness of the males in defending the nest from predators. In addition, two male penguins made headlines after laying an egg and successfully hatching it. Before they had their own egg, gay penguins tried to steal eggs from opposite-sex pairs of penguins. Ornithologists studying this phenomenon have concluded that, in general, male pairs in birds form among the most sexually promiscuous songbird species, while female pairs form among monogamous species. While this behavior naturally arose among some bird species, scientific studies have shown that the increase in same-sex encounters among South American ibis may be the result of mercury contamination, which alters sex hormones.

8. Western gulls

Western gulls are similar to Leysan albatrosses, but in fact, they are more closely related to puffins. Convergent evolution has given them a resemblance to huge albatrosses, along with a similar mating system sometimes involving two females. Scientific expeditions to the California Channel Islands have shown that at least 14% of pairs of gulls consist of two females. This diversity was first noticed in colonies when surprisingly high numbers of eggs were found in some nests. Some of the eggs were even fertilized, due to connections with males "on the side".

9. Giraffes

Young male giraffes sometimes practice same-sex contacts and short-term alliances before mating with a female. This activity may include kissing language, neck massage and "hugs", and full body contact. Scientists suggest that the purpose of same-sex interactions is to introduce mating techniques before presenting them to the female giraffe. In a small community that is a herd of giraffes, the idea is to build the right relationship with the females by testing the methods on several males.

10. Dragonflies

It's a fact: insects can be gay. Dragonflies are among the most highly evolved predators in the insect world, and also exhibit the most spectacular mid-air dances and serious sensory encounters with other dragonflies. But the presence of the opposite sex is not always a necessary condition for dragonfly dates; studies have shown unexpectedly high mating rates between same-sex dragonflies. Understanding the causes of same-sex relationships among such small invertebrates is challenging, and the interaction is poorly understood even today. Environmental chemistry and lack of mates may be one of the factors influencing the mating behavior of dragonflies.