SciShow Tangents

Gay Animals with Field Guide to Gay Animals

Jun 25, 2024
Join Owen Ever and Laine Kaplan-Levenson as they dive into the colorful world of queerness in animals. They discuss fascinating same-sex behaviors and the joys of studying these intricate relationships. Topics include fluid sexuality in marine creatures, humorous anecdotes about animal courtship, and historical perspectives on homosexuality in the animal kingdom. With a mix of science and light-hearted fun, they promote a celebration of diversity in animal behavior, urging listeners to appreciate the complexities of the natural world.
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ANECDOTE

Owen's Bird Pooping Tale

  • Owen Ever was pooped on by a flock of cedar waxwings attracted to Mardi Gras beads.
  • Their bright purple poop reflects their berry-rich, often drunken diet, showing joyful animal revelry.
INSIGHT

Broad Scope of Gay Animal Behaviors

  • Same-sex behaviors in animals cover courtship, parenting, and pair bonding, not just mating.
  • Observing these behaviors is challenging due to biases and physical similarities in species.
INSIGHT

Queerness Is Widespread in Animals

  • Researchers find about 1,500 species exhibit same-sex behavior, spanning vast diversity.
  • Use caution not to impose human morality or assumptions when studying animal behaviors.
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