Editing Animal sexual behaviour (section)

===Autoeroticism (masturbation)===
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Dog and toy.png|thumb|210px|[[Dog]] (canis familiaris) masturbating against a [[stuffed toy]]. (Source: movie still)]] -->
It appears that many animals, both male and female, masturbate, both when partners are available and otherwise.

For example, http://www.petplace.com comments in its guide on assessing potential breeding stock purchases: ''"Masturbation is a normal behaviour in all stallions that does not reduce semen production or performance in the breeding shed, and thus the use of devices to prevent such behaviour is strongly discouraged and can be harmful to the stallion."''<ref>[http://www.petplace.com/horses/breeding-soundness-examination-of-the-stallion/page2.aspx Breeding Soundness Examination of the Stallion]</ref> Likewise the paper "Sexual Behaviour - Current Topics in Applied Ethology and Clinical Methods" by Sue McDonnell of the Equine Behaviour Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine states:

{{quote|One example is the behaviour known within the horse breeding industry as masturbation. This involves normal periodic erections and penile movements. This behaviour, both from the descriptive field studies cited above and in extensive study of domestic horses, is now understood as normal, frequent behaviour of male equids.|<ref name="McDonnell,Henry,Bristol,1991">McDonnell, S.M., Henry, M., & Bristol, F. (1991). Spontaneous erection and masturbation in equids. Proceedings Vth International Equine Reproduction Symposium. J Reprod Fert Suppl, 44, 664-665.</ref>}}

Attempting to inhibit or punish masturbation, for example by tying a brush to the area of the flank underside where the penis rubs into contact with the underside, which is still a common practice of horse managers regionally around the world, often leads to increased masturbation and disturbances of normal breeding behaviour (McDonnell and Hinze, in preparation).<ref>[http://www3.vet.upenn.edu/labs/equinebehaviour/hvnwkshp/hv02/mcdonnell.htm Sexual Behaviour - Current Topics in Applied Ethology and Clinical Methods]</ref>. Castration does not prevent masturbation, as it is also observed in geldings, and even mares.

<!-- Image with disputed fair-use status removed:  [[Image:M90.org kangeroo film still.png|thumb|240px|Still from TV show, accidentally capturing animal masturbation by a [[kangaroo]]]] -->
Sexual release seeking is common in both domestic and non-domestic species. For example, a video (non-explicit) showing a kangaroo masturbating, inadvertently caught during a TV broadcast, can be found [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoKrMW8giGg here]. Also, another video (explicit) of a kangaroo performing [[autofellatio]] can be found [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGPLrRqkDY8&NR here], and a dog balancing on rear legs in order to masturbate with both front paws, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZCoeZn09ws here].

The female [[porcupine]] has been observed to use a stick as a [[Vibrator (sensual)|vibrator]], holding one end of a stick and walking around, straddling it as it bumped against the ground and vibrated against her genitalia.<ref>[http://influx.uoregon.edu/1997/wham/ Don't Hold Back]</ref> Sexologist [[Havelock Ellis]] in his 1927 "Studies in the Psychology of Sex" identified bulls, goats, sheep, camels and elephants as species known to practice autoeroticism, adding of some other species: 

{{quote|I am informed by a gentleman who is a recognized authority on goats, that they sometimes take the penis into the mouth and produce actual orgasm, thus practicing auto-fellatio. As regards ferrets ... "if the bitch, when in heat, cannot obtain a dog [ie, male ferret] she pines and becomes ill. If a smooth pebble is introduced into the hutch, she will masturbate upon it, thus preserving her normal health for one season. But if this artificial substitute is given to her a second season, she will not, as formerly, be content with it." [...] Blumenbach observed a bear act somewhat similarly on seeing other bears coupling, and hyenas, according to Ploss and Bartels, have been seen practicing mutual masturbation by licking each other's genitals.}}

<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Cow and tractor.png|thumb|240px|Inanimate farm equipment such as [[tractor]]s or [[hay]], is sometimes employed as a [[tool]] for animal masturbation]] -->
In his 1999 book, ''Biological exuberance'',  Bruce Bagemihl PhD documents (p.71, 209-210) that:

{{quote|Autoeroticism also occurs widely among animals, both male and female. A variety of creative techniques are used, including genital stimulation using the hand or front paw (primates, Lions), foot (Vampire Bats, primates), flipper (Walruses), or tail (Savanna Baboons), sometimes accompanied by stimulation of the nipples (Rhesus Macaques, Bonobos); auto-fellating or licking, sucking and/or nuzzling by a male of his own penis (Common Chimpanzees, Savanna Bonobos, Vervet Monkeys, Squirrel Monkeys, Thinhorn Sheep, Bharal, Aovdad, Dwarf Cavies); stimulation of the penis by flipping or rubbing it against the belly or in its own sheath (White-tailed and Mule Deer, Zebras and Takhi); spontaneous ejaculations (Mountain Sheep, Warthogs, Spotted Hyenas); and stimulation of the genitals using inanimate objects (found in several primates and cetaceans).|<ref name="Bagemihl,1999">Bruce Bagemihl: Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity. St. Martin's Press, 1999. ISBN 0-312-19239-8</ref>}}

{{quote|Many birds masturbate by mounting and copulating with tufts of grass, leaves or mounds of earth, and some mammals such as primates and Dolphins also rub their genitals against the ground or other surfaces to stimulate themselves.|<ref name="Bagemihl,1999" />}}

{{quote|Autoeroticism in female mammals, as well as heterosexual and homosexual intercourse (especially in primates), often involves direct or indirect stimulation of the clitoris [...]. This organ is present in the females of all mammalian species and several other animal groups.|<ref name="Bagemihl,1999" />}}

and that:

{{quote|Apes and Monkeys use a variety of objects to masturbate with and even deliberately create implements for sexual stimulation [...] often in highly creative ways.|<ref name="Bagemihl,1999" />}}

Petter Bøckman of the Norwegian Natural History Museum commented (in respect of a 2006 [[Against Nature?|exhibition on homosexuality in the animal kingdom]]) that:

{{quote|Masturbation is common in the animal kingdom ... We have a [[Darwinism|Darwinist]] mentality that all animals only have sex to procreate. But there are plenty of animals who will masturbate when they have nothing better to do. Masturbation has been observed among primates, deer, killer whales and penguins, and we're talking about both males and females. They rub themselves against stones and roots. Orangutans are especially inventive. They make [[dildo]]s of wood and bark.|<ref name="news-medical" />}}