Bats have sex for several hours Photo: Reproduction/Internet
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Scientists at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland have found that the bat species Eptesicus serotinus has a disproportionately large penis, measuring about 22% of its body length, and mate through contact without penetrating the vagina.
The study, published in the journal Current Biology, was carried out by observing animals living in the attic of a Dutch church and in a Ukrainian rehabilitation center.
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Researchers found that the black peppermint bat’s penis is so large that when erect it is seven times longer and wider than the female’s vagina. This makes penetration impossible, which led scientists to investigate an alternative form of mating.
The researchers found that males of this species use their penis to push away the “sheath” of the female’s tail a membrane that protects the vulva allowing contact mating. Once connected to the vulva through contact rather than penetration, the man remains motionless until he reaches the climax of the act.
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This dynamic is common in birds performing the “cloacal kiss,” but is unprecedented in mammals.
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The study suggests that the black pepper bat’s disproportionately large penis may have evolved to help the animal attract females. A large penis can be a sign of masculinity and health and can help a man stand out from his competitors.
The researchers also suspect that contact mating could be a way to reduce exposure to predators. Because the male does not have to penetrate the female, he can avoid detection by predators that may be hunting nearby.
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To better understand these unusual dynamics, researchers plan to continue observing mating dusky peppermint bats.
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