Scientists finally found the clitoris on snakes – and there are two

Researchers discovered the primary proof of a two-part sexual organ known as a hemiclitoris in all 9 species of feminine snakes they examined

By Corryn Wetzel

Feminine snakes haven’t one, however two clitorises, in line with analysis documenting the primary formal proof of the sexual organ in snakes. This two-part clitoris, known as a hemiclitoris, is current in not less than 9 snake species.

“There’s lots recognized about male snake genitalia, however not a lot – actually something – recognized about females,” says Megan Folwell on the College of Adelaide in Australia. Earlier analysis was “form of far and wide about whether or not the snake clitoris existed”. Eager to settle the controversy, Folwell and her colleagues started dissecting feminine snake specimens from the College of Michigan’s zoology assortment.

Folwell says it didn’t take a lot looking. “You peel again the pores and skin and it’s proper there in entrance of you,” she says. They discovered hemiclitores in all 9 species they checked out, and all have been positioned on the underside of the snake’s tail.

Dissections and micro-CT scans revealed a spread of hemiclitoris sizes and constructions between species. The cantil viper (Agkistrodon bilineatus), a pit viper native to Mexico, has the biggest hemiclitoris of the 9 species, whereas an Australian species, Ingram’s brown snake (Pseudonaja ingrami), has the smallest. Different species they examined included the frequent dying adder (Acanthophis antarcticus), Guatemalan milk snake (Lampropeltis abnorma) and carpet python (Morelia spilota). Folwell says she suspects most, if not all, feminine snake species have hemiclitores.

The crew additionally discovered that, like male snakes’ and lizards’ two-part hemipenes, females’ hemiclitores are comprised of delicate nerves and erectile tissue. However not like hemipenes, the females’ hemiclitores lack spines and hooks thought to help in mating.

The work “gives indeniable proof that [the clitoris] is there, and it’s massive, and it’s advanced”, says Richard Shine at Macquarie College in Australia who was not concerned within the work. “It’s an ideal leap ahead in our understanding of sexual anatomy in reptiles.”

Relating to finding out animal genitalia, “I believe feminine aspect of issues get somewhat bit misplaced,” says Folwell. “However there’s now an excellent neighborhood of scientists trying into feminine genitalia, which is basically thrilling stuff.”

Journal reference: Proceedings of the Royal Society B, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1702

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