Meet Siphopteron species 1. It’s a species of sea slug, recently discovered by Rolanda Lange. To procreate, two members of the species get together, stick organs into each other’s heads, and fertilize. That’s right — nature has at last provided us with a perfect example of the mindfuck.
I think “skullfucking” might be another word that could be used here, if only these weren’t invertebrates. Still, they are hardly the only creatures with odd mating habits.
https://gizmodo.com/how-to-write-about-hermaphrodite-sex-5939725
Photo by Johanna Weminghausen
As Ed Yong notes with characteristic restraint on Not Exactly Rocket Science:
If you’re an aficionado of sea slugs, you’re probably used to weird and cringe-worthy sex acts. When two of these hermaphrodite animals penetrate each other at the same time like an R-rated yin-yang symbol, you won’t bat an eyelid. When several of them link up in a long mating chain, you’ll have seen it all before. When one amputates its disposable penis after sex only to uncoil a spare, your only reaction will be, “Meh.”
Still, when two sea slugs penetrate each other in the head while having sex, even the most jaded expert might do a double-take.
Read the rest of Yong’s article to get the full story on how this amazing new species of sea slug was discovered.
