Editing Animal sexual behaviour (section)

==Interpretation of animal sexuality==

The field of study of sexuality in non-human species has been a long standing [[taboo]],<ref name="news-medical" /> with researchers either failing to observe or mis-categorizing and mis-describing sexual behaviour which does not meet their preconceptions. (See: [[Observer bias]]) More current research provides views such as that of the Norwegian Natural [[History]] Museum, which in 2006 held an exhibition on animal sexuality:

{{quote|Many researchers have described homosexuality as something altogether different from sex. They must realise that animals can have sex with who they will, when they will and without consideration to a researcher's ethical principles.|<ref name="news-medical" />}}

An example of overlooking behaviour relates to descriptions of [[giraffe]] mating:

{{quote|When nine out of ten pairings occur between males, "[e]very male that sniffed a female was reported as sex, while [[anal sex|anal intercourse]] with [[orgasm]] between males was only [categorized as] 'revolving around' dominance, competition or greetings.|<ref name="news-medical" />}}