Scientists believe that the organ may create sensations that promote longer and more frequent mating leading to higher fertilization rates.
Discovered by an all-female research team at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide in Australia, this is the first anatomical description of the female snake clitoris. This is a first-of-its-kind study because female genitalia is often overlooked as compared to studies on male genitalia. Scientists believe that the organ may create sensations that promote longer and more frequent mating leading to higher fertilization rates.
Across the animal kingdom female genitalia are overlooked in comparison to their male counterparts…Our study counters the long-standing assumption that the clitoris (hemiclitores) is either absent or non-functional in snakes.
Megan Folwell, researcher
We found the heart-shaped snake hemiclitores is composed of nerves and red blood cells consistent with erectile tissue – which suggests it may swell and become stimulated during mating. This is important because snake mating is often thought to involve coercion of the female – not seduction.
Kate Sanders, researcher
These findings can help further understand the systematics, reproductive evolution, and ecology of snake-like reptiles, such as lizards.
Sources
Folwell Megan J., Sanders Kate L., Brennan Patricia L. R. andCrowe-Riddell Jenna M. 2022 First evidence of hemiclitores in snakes Proc. R. Soc. B.2892022170220221702 http://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.1702
