Science Vs When Vaginas Attack!
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Dec 5, 2024 
Dr. Tiana Pirtle, an animal ecologist from the University of Tasmania, reveals the hidden complexities of animal vaginas, debunking the long-held myth of female passivity in reproduction. She shares fascinating tales of how ducks and hyenas wield control in mating, showcasing evolution's arms race between penises and vaginas. With a box of animal vaginas as a prop, Pirtle dives into unique adaptations like genital shields in water striders and intriguingly complex systems in rattlesnakes, all while celebrating the diversity of female anatomy.
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Bias in Animal Sex Descriptions
- Scientific literature often portrays male animals as active participants in reproduction, using terms like "coercing" and "manipulating".
- Females, conversely, are depicted passively, described with words like "responding" or "reacting."
Duck Vagina Defense Mechanism
- Male ducks, known for their coercive mating behavior, have corkscrew penises.
- Female ducks have evolved vaginas that corkscrew in the opposite direction, often diverting unwanted sperm into side pockets.
Hyenas and Pseudo-Penises
- Female hyenas possess a pseudo-penis, a large clitoris that resembles a male penis.
- This allows them control over mating, but also necessitates birthing through it, a difficult process.