Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural DiversityMacmillan, 1999 M01 15 - 751 pages A Publishers Weekly Best Book One of the New York Public Library's "25 Books to Remember" for 1999 Homosexuality in its myriad forms has been scientifically documented in more than 450 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and other animals worldwide. Biological Exuberance is the first comprehensive account of the subject, bringing together accurate, accessible, and nonsensationalized information. Drawing upon a rich body of zoological research spanning more than two centuries, Bruce Bagemihl shows that animals engage in all types of nonreproductive sexual behavior. Sexual and gender expression in the animal world displays exuberant variety, including same-sex courtship, pair-bonding, sex, and co-parenting—even instances of lifelong homosexual bonding in species that do not have lifelong heterosexual bonding. Part 1, "A Polysexual, Polygendered World," begins with a survey of homosexuality, transgender, and nonreproductive heterosexuality in animals and then delves into the broader implications of these findings, including a valuable perspective on human diversity. Bagemihl also examines the hidden assumptions behind the way biologists look at natural systems and suggests a fresh perspective based on the synthesis of contemporary scientific insights with traditional knowledge from indigenous cultures. Part 2, "A Wondrous Bestiary," profiles more than 190 species in which scientific observers have noted homosexual or transgender behavior. Each profile is a verbal and visual "snapshot" of one or more closely related bird or mammal species, containing all the documentation required to support the author's often controversial conclusions. Lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched, filled with fascinating facts and astonishing descriptions of animal behavior, Biological Exuberance is a landmark book that will change forever how we look at nature. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Part I A Polysexual Polygendered World | 7 |
Part II A Wondrous Bestiary PORTRAITS OF HOMOSSEXUAL BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERED WILDLIFE | 263 |
Appendix Other Species | 657 |
Notes to Part I | 671 |
Credits and Permissions | 733 |
737 | |
743 | |
Other editions - View all
Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity Bruce Bagemihl Limited preview - 2000 |
Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity Bruce Bagemihl No preview available - 1999 |
Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity Bruce Bagemihl No preview available - 2000 |
Common terms and phrases
adult males Alternative Heterosexualities Animal Behavior animal homosexuality asterisked references discuss BEHAVIORS RANKING OBSERVED Biology birds bisexual Black-headed Gulls bonds Bonobos Bottlenose Dolphins breeding season Cattle Egrets chicks copulations Crested Black Macaques Deer Description Behavioral Expression eggs example female pairs gender genital Gorillas groups HABITAT Hanuman Langurs heterosexual heterosexual activity heterosexual copulations heterosexual mating heterosexual pairs homosexual activity homosexual behavior homosexual interactions homosexual mounting homosexual pairs Incidental Captivity incubation individuals Intersexuality involve Japanese Macaques Journal lesbian males and females mammals Moderate Semiwild mosexual nest nonbreeding Nonreproductive and Alternative occasionally occur opposite-sex pair-bonds parenting partners patterns penis percent populations Primary Wild Primates references discuss homosexuality/transgender reproductive Rhesus Macaques Ring-billed Gulls same-sex activity same-sex mounting same-sex pairs scientists Seals sexual activity sexual behavior Social Organization sometimes Sources asterisked references species STUDY AREAS Stumptail Macaques tion Transvestism Tree Swallows trios two-spirit typically usually Western Gull Whales younger males