Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

name         Crusty
status       educator
age          40s

Question -   My 13 year old niece asked this question of me:
Are there any lower animals (other mammals for example) known to exhibit
homosexual behavior?  If so, is there DNA proof that homosexuality is gene
linked in lesser animals?
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There is as yet no known genetic link for homosexual behavior. No doubt such
complex behavior would be controlled by a number of genes so, if there is a
genetic "cause", it will probably be a group of genes. There are a number of
species that exhibit unusual sexual behavior from time to time, depending on
environmental situations.  Primates, rodents and birds I know (there are
probably more of which I am not aware ) exhibit examples of what one might
call homosexual behavior.  Crowded conditions will often lead to a variety
of unusual behaviors in animals.

pf
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