Female spotted hyenas sport a pseudo-penis, which looks remarkably like the male's penis.
The pseudo-penis is actually an eight-inch-long clitoris. They also have fused labia that resemble testicles.
The penis (A, C, E) and clitoris (B, D, F) of the spotted hyena.
Image from Conley et al., 2020
Female hyena's elongated clitoris is used for urination, sexual intercourse, and giving birth.
This anatomy makes it difficult for males to mate without the full cooperation of females, giving females full control over who they mate with.
Image from Cunha et al., 2014
This control over mating comes at a high cost.
In order for the fetus to pass through the pseudo-penis, it must tear. The tear remains and makes all subsequent births easier.
However, 10% of first-time mothers die and only 40% of their pups survive births.
The reproductive system of an adult female spotted hyena.
Image from Cunha et al., 2003
Photo by Dr Andy Flies
Photo by Dr Andy Flies
References and Further Reading