The relationship between the bull, Achille, and the donkey, Patroclo, emerged only when their owners grazed them in the same shared pasture. Over four days of monitoring, scientists recorded 51 consensual mounting events accompanied by mutual licking, rubbing, and grooming. Researchers concluded the affectionate actions likely extended their social interactions rather than merely displaying dominance or sexual gratification. Independent expert Josh Luke Davis, however, urged caution regarding broader interpretations of this rare phenomenon.
Key points
The documented behavior marks the first formal scientific report of this specific intersp…: The documented behavior marks the first formal scientific report of this specific interspecies dynamic.
Scientists determined the non-coercive interactions functioned to sustain social connecti…: Scientists determined the non-coercive interactions functioned to sustain social connection beyond reproduction or simple dominance.
Experts emphasize that while queer and interspecies behaviors occur naturally, isolated e…: Experts emphasize that while queer and interspecies behaviors occur naturally, isolated events warrant measured scientific interpretation.
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In ancient myth, Achilles and Patroclus were two Greek heroes of the Trojan war whose intense bond was believed by some to have turned into a sexual relationship.
In modern science, they are a bull, Achille, and a donkey, Patroclo, whose tender interspecies affair has helped to shed new light on social and sexual interactions between animals.
Researchers say the two males have been spotted licking and rubbing each other, with the bull sometimes mounting the donkey.
The team said while other donkeys attempted to avoid Achille’s attentions and showed threatening facial expressions towards him, Patroclo often presented his hindquarters to Achille and nibbled him.
“It is really, really unusual,” said Dr Elisabetta Palagi of the University of Pisa in Italy, who co-authored the study. “And it is the first time it is reported in literature.”
André da Cruz, a PhD student at the University of Pisa and another author, said the relationship had been discovered by accident while the researchers studied geladas, or bleeding-heart monkeys, in Ethiopia.
“We were having a little break for lunch, and in the distance…
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