University of Adelaide PhD candidate finds secret to sexed-up scales

Australian scientists have discovered the key to scaly seduction and exposed female snakes’ clitorises in world-first findings.

Darwin Snake Catchers director Luke Allen holds a highly venomous beaked sea snake. Picture: Supplied

It took a female-led research team to produce the first anatomical description of a female snake’s clitoris.

Experts previously thought the clitoris was absent or non-functional among female snakes but a study of nine species debunked the myth.

University of Adelaide PhD candidate Megan Folwell led the international endeavour to find the heart-shaped clitoris of a female snake.

“The understanding of snake reproduction and genitalia has historically been male biased, which is only half the story,” she said.

“Now, we can start building on the other side of the story and get a clearer image of the bigger picture of snake mating and reproduction.

“Our findings reconsider snake mating and introduce the idea of the potential of seduction rather than just coercion through potential tactile sensitivity of the hemiclitores.”

PhD candidate Megan Folwell’s study identified the hemiclitores among nine snake species, including death adders. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Folwell said the research had received a positive response so far and hoped for a change in attitude towards female genitalia research.

“I think now we are finally starting to see a growing community of researchers interested in animal female genitalia, which is fantastic,” she said.

“For example, the most recent (Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology) symposium 2022 designating a session to female genitalia in amniotes.”

Ms Folwell said she hoped her findings would motivate an interest in female animal genitalia among other researchers.

Darwin Snake Catchers director Luke Allen holds a highly venomous beaked sea snake. Picture: Supplied

Darwin Snake Catchers director Luke Allen said two of the study’s snakes – the pygmy king brown and Ingram’s brown snakes – could be found in the NT.

The study also included a species of death adder that is usually found in South Australia, but Mr Allen said there were other death adder species to be found in the NT.

“It’s quite likely the anatomy is the same,” he said.

Mr Allen said he had a background in anatomical studies but focused on other research topics.

“I never even thought to or never even considered to look for something like this, so it’s really novel research and really exciting,” he said.

“My theory on at least some function of the hemiclitores in snakes, is that they play a role in stimulating rapid hormone production or release and subsequent ovulation, where ovum, or unfertilised eggs, are released from the ovaries into the reproductive tract and fertilised in a very short period of time.”

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