Bottlenose dolphins (Tersiops truncatus) appear to have a very large and well-developed clitoris that may be better suited for sexual pleasure than the human clitoris, according to a new study.

The visible tip of the human clitoris is only the size of a pea and is located slightly north of the vagina and urethra (although most of the structure remains hidden under the pelvis or skin “hood”).

On the other hand, the dolphin clitoris has a slightly larger head and is located near the entrance to the vagina. What’s more, the entire organ has an “S”-shaped bend, which suggests that it can stick out farther when upright.

Experts say dolphin penises are almost impossible to avoid during mating.

“The dolphin’s clitoris has many features that suggest it can provide pleasure for women,” said biologist Patricia Brennan of Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

“We know that dolphins have sex not only for reproduction but also to cement social bonds, so it seems likely that the clitoris is functional.
Today, we still know very little about the human clitoris, and even less about the clitoris of other species. It is known that all female mammals have clitoral-like structures, but we still don’t know how these organs work, or whether they bring pleasure to animals.

Like humans, female dolphins are known to mate all year round, but only occasionally ovulate. This suggests that these species mate for more than just reproduction.

In the wild, for example, bottlenose dolphins have been observed participating in group orgies, with both males and females using their snouts, flippers and flukes to rub their companions’ protruding clitoris and penis.

Direct stimulation of the clitoris was also observed in female-only sex.

Unfortunately, we can’t scan the dolphin’s brain during all these handkerchiefs to see if the creatures are actually happy, so researchers have turned to the clitoris itself for answers.

When scanning the sexual organs of 11 female dolphins who died of natural causes, the research team found massive amounts of erectile tissue, blood vessels and nerve endings in the clitoris.

Similar to the human clitoris, the glans of the dolphin clitoris is enclosed in a hood. During dolphin adulthood, this hood wrinkles, potentially allowing the tips of organs, including erectile tissue, to swell with blood when aroused.

Arteries in the clitoris were also found to closely trace the nerves of the clitoris, suggesting orgasmic function in humans.

“Because the entire pelvis of dolphins is so different from humans, it was amazing to see their shapes so similar,” Brennan said.

“Also, the size of the nerves in the clitoris is amazing. Some are over half a millimeter in diameter.”

Complete News Source : Sciencealert