Hyena Sexual Identity

Improved Essays
The sexual identity of animals is not only based on chromosomal sex, but it is also based on physical, mental, and social patterns; thus, there are many animals that show traits generally allocated to the opposite sex and in that way, make it scientifically and genetically invalid to exclusively classify animals as males or females. One such animal is the female spotted hyena. They have a pseudo penis that is formed by the clitoris. Not only can it be erected, but the pseudo penis of the female hyena is of the same size, shape, and position as a male’s penis. Furthermore, they have a fused and folded up labia that is indistinguishable to a male’s scrotum, and fatty tissues that form two swellings and look like testicles. In short, the appearance

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