If you were wondering, snakes do possess a clitoris.
Scientists have identified the erogenous zone in nine separate reptile species for the first time.
In reality, females conceal and separate two ‘hemiclitores’ on the underside of their tails.
As these are formed of sensitive nerve bundles, according to experts from the University of Adelaide, they presumably pleasure snakes during mating.
In comparison to their male counterparts, female genitalia is disregarded throughout the animal kingdom, according to Ph.D. candidate Megan Folwell, who led the research.
Under their scales, male snakes and lizards contain two hemipenes, which are tubular structures with a groove through which sperm can pass.
They remain inverted within the body until mating when erectile tissue extends them outward.
The sharp spines or hooks on the hemipenes of reptiles are believed to have evolved so that they can only mate with members of their species.
Ms. Folwell began her investigation on the female sexual anatomy of snakes after noticing a lack of specific descriptions in the scientific literature.
She believed this lack of knowledge limited our understanding of reproduction in animals such as snakes.
Dr. Jenna Crowe-Riddell from La Trobe University stated, “When you open an anatomy textbook and see a precise illustration of the male genitalia, a significant portion of the female genitalia is absent.”
Therefore, we are filling up the gap.
Ms. Folwell and her team dissected an Acanthophis antarcticus, also known as a “death adder,” and discovered a little organ shaped like a heart.
It was not a portion of the scent glands or an immature hemipenis, as shown by microscopic and bio-imaging techniques, as well as comparisons with male snake genitalia.
Dr. Crowe-Riddell explained, “When we examined some of the underlying cells, we saw red blood cells and nerves that are consistent with erectile tissue; these are all characteristics of the clitoris.”
The researchers subsequently investigated the adult female genitalia of eight more snake species from Australia, Central America, South America, Africa, and Arabia and discovered identical organs in each.
In a publication published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, these hemiclitores were thoroughly described with anatomical designations.
Hemiclitores were described for the first time in 1995 in monitor lizards, however, the authors discovered that they are essentially smaller counterparts of the hemipenis.
However, Australian researchers discovered that they were formed of neurons and red blood cells, similar to the erectile tissue.
This indicates that they are functioning and could expand and become stimulated during mating.
Associate Professor Kate Sanders stated, “This is significant because snake mating is commonly believed to require compulsion rather than the seduction of the female.”
According to the researchers, reproduction including female seduction, as opposed to coercion or aggression, is discussed in mammals but not in reptiles.
Dr. Crowe-Riddell stated, “I believe snakes have been left behind because they are scaly and a bit, bit odd.”
In addition to providing pleasure, clitoral stimulation may imply vaginal relaxation and lubrication.
This may decrease the damage or discomfort caused by the hooks or barbs, or induce ovulation.
By examining how densely the nerves are packed and where they lead, a future study hopes to provide an answer.
The team also hopes to document the female reproductive organs of more snake species.
Because hemipenis traits evolve so rapidly, they are incredibly diverse, and the same might be said for hemiclitores.
The size of the hemiclitores in the 10 analyzed specimens varied from less than one millimeter to seven millimeters, according to the study.
Dr. Sanders stated, “Our findings can be used to gain a deeper understanding of the systematics, reproductive evolution, and ecology of snake-like reptiles, such as lizards.”
This study demonstrates that there is still plenty to learn about the reproductive dynamics of well-studied species and sheds light on gender bias in animal research.
Ms. Folwell stated, ‘Our findings contradict the long-held belief that the clitoris (hemiclitores) in snakes is either nonexistent or non-functional.
Unfortunately, the female genitalia of all animals remains taboo, thus we are particularly proud to have contributed to this study.
