The Unlikely Truth About Silverback Gorillas' Penises

As it turns out, silverback gorillas have an unexpected secret when it comes to their penises. While humans often claim to have the largest penises among primates, a recent study published in the American Journal of Primatology suggests that this may not be entirely accurate. In fact, chimpanzee and bonobo erect penis lengths are comparable to those of humans, measuring between 14-17 cm.

But what's even more fascinating is the behavior of silverback gorillas when it comes to mating. Unlike their human counterparts, who often engage in romantic relationships, silverback gorillas have a very different approach to sex. According to Dr. Diane Doran-Sheehy and her team, female gorillas in captivity time their sexual advances to coincide with those of other females, effectively delaying the pregnancy of others and gaining a reproductive advantage.

In fact, the study found that pregnant female gorillas even fake oestrus, or pretend to be fertile, in order to curry favor with a male and stick around. This behavior is likely driven by the desire to delay the pregnancy of other females and gain access to a limited number of males. 'It's what's going on with the females in the group,' Dr. Doran-Sheehy says. 'It doesn't have all that much to do with the males.'

But silverback gorillas aren't just interested in mating for reproduction purposes alone. They also engage in recreational sex, often with multiple females at once. This behavior is similar to that of bonobos, who treat coitus like a handshake. In fact, Dr. Doran-Sheehy suggests that this kind of competitive behavior may even help explain how humans evolved into a mostly monogamous species.

So there you have it - silverback gorillas aren't just about brute strength and aggression; they also have a more complex and multifaceted approach to sex. And who knows? Maybe we can learn a thing or two from these fascinating creatures.

Silver back gorilla penis