Do cats (and other similar mammals) have clitorises? If so, what is the evolutionary advantage? If not, why do humans have them?
Ylon Tuxford, Burntwood, England
- I figure that if female sexual enjoyment leads to more sex, which leads to more chance of pregnancy, which leads to the production of more offspring, than there are obvious fitness (evolutionary) advantages to posessing a clitoris. It goes without saying that males who learn how to properly locate and stimulate a clitoris will be suitably rewarded as well.
Chris, Canada
- Peadar Mac Con Aonaigh is suffering from a misconception distressingly common amongst men. The clitoris is not a vestigial organ, analogous to male nipples. In fact recent research has shown that the clitoris is a larger organ than the penis. Much of the tissue is internal (and therefore less obvious to casual inspection) and original studies were done by men on elderly cadavers, which is why we have only recently found this out. The purpose of the clitoris is of course to generate pleasurable sensations, encouraging us to engage in sexual activities. This pleasure (and orgasm) are often not a consequence of intercourse but can easily be generated by numerous other activities. This suggests that the purpose of female orgasm is not just to encourage intercourse and therefore babies, but to encourage pairbonding and a mutually enjoyable relationship. I have often thought that perhaps the 'fiddliness' for the male of giving an orgasm to many of us women is a way of us weeding out the blokes with patience, commitment, etc from the ones who can't be bothered.
S Collins, London
- Horses certainly have them. When mares are in season they do this amazing thing that involves lifting their tails and opening their vulva and "winking" to show their clitoris - if you ever see this it is quite obvious that it arouses the male (even a gelding).
Alison Dite, Cardiff, UK
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