The primitive behaviour of wildlife can be quite brutal to witness, and it’s normally a far cry from what is considered ethical and the norm for us emotionally charged humanoids. The wildlife kingdom has no labels – their behaviour is based on instinct and survival of their species. What we consider cruel in our brain-dwelling world, to them is innate to their species.
Male lions commit infanticide with cubs sired by other males, female snakes engage in sexual cannibalism, and ageing buffalo bulls past their prime are ousted from the herd. Cruel, yet necessary. Primordial for us, yet natural for them. The rules of the wild are fascinating, with each species thriving and conducting behaviours based on instincts specific to their genetic make-up and family.
When comes to the subject of sexing an animal, it can be, surprisingly tricky. Did you know that not all animals are born male or female? Crocodiles, female hyena and snails all have an unusual story when it comes to genitalia and sexual identification.
Crocodile’s Sex is Determined by Incubation Conditions
Crocodiles are ectothermic creatures and prehistoric reptiles. They will sun themselves on the banks of rivers to control their body thermostat, and seek out shade when they become too hot. These eerie looking reptiles are one of the most notorious killers of the safari world. They aren’t fussy in their pursuit of quarry. Anything that dare approaches the banks of their domain, be it a river or waterhole, the crocodile will silently approach and conduct a thrashing kill. So, just how are these water dinosaurs born?
Being reptiles means that the female lays a clutch of eggs, normally ranging from 20 – 80 eggs in one clutch. Most of these eggs are eaten by predators, but the ones that survive – their sex is ultimately determined by their incubation conditions! Temperature of the nest determines the gender of the baby. Males need a temperature of 31.6 degrees Celsius to develop, and females will develop anything below or above those temperatures.
Female Spotted Hyena Have a Pseudo Penis
It is quite easy to misidentify the sex of a hyena when spotting one while out on game drive. Females have an external protrusion that resembles a male’s penis, but instead is actually a result of a heavy dose of male hormones emitted during pregnancy. This causes the clitoris and external areas to enlarge, and paves the way for a birth canal to develop. The canal is tiny, so there is normally a high mortality rate with first born cubs. They tend to stretch the canal for the second born, which generally survives. The next time you spot a “male” hyena, think twice about its sex.
Certain Snails are Hermaphrodites
The giant African land snail is found in abundance in the Kruger, and is most often seen after a heavy bought of rain. Some snails are considered hermaphrodites, which means they have both male and female reproductive organs. This doesn’t mean that they self-fertilise (although it can happen) and it’s normally the larger of the breeding pair that ends up carrying the eggs. These mollusks detect receptivity of other snails in the area, and the process of fertilisation begins.
