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submitted 5 days ago by Track_Shovel@slrpnk.net to c/science_memes@mander.xyz

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[-] Usernamealreadyinuse@lemmy.world 84 points 5 days ago

Of the three hyena species, the spotted hyena, Crocuta crocuta is the only one to have a pseudo penis.

It has the most challenging birthing process, and unlike the brown hyena and striped hyena, it gives birth to young who have open eyes.

After an average of 110 days of gestation, the spotted hyena mother gives birth to between two and four cubs. The 1-1.5 kg cubs arrive through a 1.54 cm (1 inch) wide birth canal.

The birth canal resembles the genitalia of male hyenas. It is, in fact, the female hyena’s clitoris.

Dude

[-] Jolteon@lemmy.zip 25 points 4 days ago

I have a hard time imagining how such a thing could evolve. Making reproduction more difficult is literally the opposite of what it does, so it had to have been somehow worse to begin with.

[-] Quibblekrust@thelemmy.club 23 points 4 days ago

I dunno, ducks have maze-like vaginas to avoid pregnancy from rape. Evolution optimizes for the survival of the species, not for reproducing some maximum possible amount. Perhaps they evolved when limiting reproduction wad a benefit to the species.