ChatterBank2 mins ago
is it true
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elephants have a prehensile penis? if so can we genetically engineer human men to have one too?? (only joking!)
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.There are websites which claim elephants do have such an anatomical feature...however, they must be using the word 'prehensile' somewhat loosely. I say that, because the word actually means 'capable of grasping'. That may be true of its trunk, but I don't think it is of its penis! Certainly, it may be capable of waving it around, but then so can a man...albeit rather pathetically in comparison!
thank you! i have just come across something saying a similar thing to you - http://www.mail-archive.com/tips@fre.fsu.umd.edu/msg11161.ht ml
I thought it was rhinos, but who knows if it's true...?
The explanation given is that manoevering the relevant part by moving the whole body about (as cattle, horses etc do) is too difficult with such a large animal.
The end therefore is able to "walk" it's way to the other relevant part.
One wonders if the female appreciates her partner's extraordinary capabilities -- if they do in fact exist in either group.
I recall seeing film of mating rhinos. Motility of the part was not apparent in this, but I remember that the male had to perch his whole body on top of the female, no feet touching the ground. He then fell off, sideways, all two or three tons of him, and later wandered off with an injured shoulder. I don't think he saw the joke...