Copulatory Behaviour - Anatomy & Physiology
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Mounting
- Elevation of the front legs of the male to straddle the posterior region of the female.
- Learned behaviour
Intromission
- Successful entrance of the penis into the vagina.
Ejaculation
Dog
- Bitch in Oestrus spots bloody fluid just before the receptive stage.
- Male identifies the female.
- Dogs are very aware of a bitch in oestrus and can detect them from 500-600 meters away.
- Bitch adopts receptive posture ('stands')
- Dog mounts and thrusts to achieve intromission.
- Intromission with a partially erect penis aided by the Os Penis
- Vulval erectile tissue of the bitch grips the penis.
- Penis achieves full erection (the 'Tie')
- Dog then turns to face the opposite direction (the 'Turn')
- Ejaculation
Cat
- Queen 'calls'
- Male identifies female
- Queen crouches in lordosis
- Tom bites scruff of queen
- Tom mounts and thrusts to gain intromission
- If queen is in oestrus she will submit to allow full intromission.
- Tom ejaculates
- Female emits a yowl and rolls over, attempting to swipe the tom with her claws.
- Tom retires to a safe distance
For a video demonstration of copulation in the cat, follow either of the following links: