Echidnas have four heads on their penis
And we thought the kangaroo was crazy with their three vaginas.
I won't beat around the bush—animal genitalia have become a recurring theme in these posts. From kangaroos to beavers to elephants and barnacles, animals have fucken weird genitalia. And it’s because all these animal’s genitalia are so wild that I have to share it with you.
In the case of the echidnas, it’s their four-headed penis. They take “four-play” to the next level (yes, I’m proud of that pun).
Echidnas, along with platypuses, belong to a unique group of mammals known as monotremes. Unlike most mammals, monotremes lay eggs like birds and reptiles, yet they also produce milk.
And when it comes to reproduction, echidnas have quite an interesting approach with their four headed penis.
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During the mating season, two of the four glans or heads on their penis, becomes functional during erection. The echidnas are able to alternative between these glans for subsequent erections.
Scientists aren’t too sure why echidnas only use two glans at a time for their escapades, but they suspect it’s to do with male competition for females. By alternating between the glans, a male echidna can ejaculate up to 10 times, allowing one side to recover while the other side keeps things going. This gives them an edge over less efficient, or shall we say, less vigorous, competitors.
On top of that, their shaft is also covered with penile spines to induce ovulation in females. And for those who are curious, their penis measures at 7 cm or 2.8 in long when erect.
But the craziness doesn't stop there. Researchers have found that echidna penises also share similarities with those of turtles and crocodiles. In fact, turtles have a five-gland penis with a comparable internal anatomy to our spiky bois.
I’m not sure if I should be impressed or mortified. Honestly, I’m probably leaning towards the more impressed side.