02/10/2022
Did you know that female hyenas have evolved to possess a pseudo- p***s and a pseudo-scrotum? And that males are dependent on females at feeding time?
The hyena is a very interesting animal for several reasons. Although they may resemble dogs, this African mammal is more closely related to cats, but hyenas do not belong to either of the two previously cited families, but form a family of their own called Hyaenidae.
Female hyenas have three times more testosterone in their bodies than their male counterparts. This results in them being more muscular and more aggressive—as if that wasn’t enough, the female hyena have a pseudo-p***s.
This makes it incredibly difficult to differentiate between male and female hyenas. Females don't have external va**na and urinate through the pseudo-p***s, just like male hyenas. And, in case you're wondering, yes, they're capable of an er****on. Which is even bizarre because the pseudo-p***s is actually a giant cl****is.
Just when you thought it couldn't get weirder, the poor female hyenas need to give birth through their pseudo-p***s. No surprise here, but it's a rather painful process for the mother and often tragic for her babies.
Hyenas usually carry litters of two to four cubs, but sadly about 60% of cubs suffocate on the way out. Mothers are also in danger, as the birth canal is only one inch in diameter, often making the birth process fatal, as demonstrated by the high mortality rate for first-time mothers.
The origin of the pseudo-p***s...
One of the several theories for the origin of this pseudo-p***s postula that evolved with a protective function: in order for the hyenas to mate, the female must voluntarily retract the channel of is the pseudo-p***s to facilitate copulation.
This gives females, unlike many other species, the ultimate mating decision. This is why female hyenas are extremely selective about who they mate with.
