this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2026
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Science Memes

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[–] Whostosay@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Out of the loop on these ducks, are we talking about the duck rape?

[–] ApathyTree@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Probably the evolutionary arms race between rapey males and females. Males have long corkscrew penises that inflate rapidly during copulation to fill the tract of the female. Females, what with their desire to choose mates and all, have evolved corkscrew vaginal tracts with dead ends and stuff that spirals in the opposite direction. Forced mating frequently ends without insemination, as a result.

I am genuinely unsure of the mechanism by which successful mating actually happens, considering the anatomical arms race and all (maybe it’s like dolphins, which have a similar problem. Female dolphins have a false vagina and can choose where the male’s sperm goes by changing her tail position), but they seem to be able to reproduce, so it is what it is, and I’m not super keen to look it up at the moment.

[–] Whostosay@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago

That is wild lol thanks for sharing

[–] mnemonicmonkeys@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Fyi, I'm pretty sure the duck rape thing is specific to mallards. But I'm not an ornithologist

[–] Whostosay@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm not read up on current bird law either

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Have you talked to Charlie Day about it? He can probably help you out

[–] GrilledCheese@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 month ago

I assume they are talking about the spiraled reproductive organs