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Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity
Biological Exuberance is a book of great queer science. Two ganders who work together as a mated pair? Two female bears raising their four cubs together? A kangaroo with both a female pouch and male sex organs? Who's been keeping all this a secret? Homosexual mating and pairing occur in all species, so contends author Bruce Bagemihl in this well-researched book on animal homosexualities. Bagemihl is a biologist and researcher who went from teaching to working at Microsoft, and now he's produced one phenomenal book on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and tr ansgendered animal life. Bagemihl first shows how past biologists and anthropologists have made their errors in reportage regarding observations in the field of homosexual behavior among the beasts (interestingly enough, all homosexual behavior tended to be called either aggressive or passive, and not about mating or affection between animals, even though it was often the identical mating behavior as the heterosexually-oriented animals). In this often lively, but sometimes overwhelmingly encyclopedic study and listing of homosexual diversity in the animal kingdom, the author has done a phenomenal job of bringing science into a popular idiom so that the animal behavior he details i s understandable to the layperson.Biological Exuberance is divided into two main sections, "A Polysexual, Polygendered World" and "A Wondrous Bestiary: Portraits of Homosexual, Bisexual, and Transgendered Wildlife." The first section primarily deals with how we as a civilization have viewed animal sexuality in the past, and themyths we'vebuilt up around it, and the author's term, "biological exuberance." Here's how Bagemihl himself describes it. The essence ofBiological Exuberanceis that natural systems are driven as much by abundance and excess as they are by limitation and practicality. Seen in this light, homosexuality and nonreproductive heterosexuality are "expected" o ccurrences they are one manifestation of an overall "extravagance" of biological systems that has many other expressions. In the second major section of the book, the author breaks his studies down into individual animal species and subgroupings of species. Fascinating, page-turning in its own way, and full of pictures of homosexual matings and sexual congress among our furry and feathered friends,Biolobical Exuberance is one of the most readable scientifically-based books of the year. Get this one. It is amazing.
752 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 1999
75 people are currently reading
2394 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Bagemihl
2 books14 followersBruce Bagemihl is a Canadian biologist, linguist, and author of the book Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity.
He served on the faculty of University of British Columbia, and he earned a Ph.D. in linguistics from there in 1988.
Biological Exuberance cites numerous studies on some 300 species (see List of animals displaying homosexual behavior) showing that homosexual and bisexual behaviors are common among animals and proposes a theory of sexual behavior in which reproduction is only one of its principal biological functions.
Bagemihl proposes that group cohesion and lessening of tensions, seen for example among bonobos, are other important functions of sexual behavior.
Biological Exuberance was cited in the U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas as evidence that homosexual behavior is natural, and formed the basis for the museum exhibition Against Nature?.
Publications:
"Animals Do Do It," Alternatives Journal, Summer 2001
"Left-Handed Bears and Androgynous Cassowaries," Whole Earth, Spring 2000
"Beastly Homosexualities: Future Histories of Nonreproductive Sex and Technology," 2000
Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity, 1999
He served on the faculty of University of British Columbia, and he earned a Ph.D. in linguistics from there in 1988.
Biological Exuberance cites numerous studies on some 300 species (see List of animals displaying homosexual behavior) showing that homosexual and bisexual behaviors are common among animals and proposes a theory of sexual behavior in which reproduction is only one of its principal biological functions.
Bagemihl proposes that group cohesion and lessening of tensions, seen for example among bonobos, are other important functions of sexual behavior.
Biological Exuberance was cited in the U.S. Supreme Court case Lawrence v. Texas as evidence that homosexual behavior is natural, and formed the basis for the museum exhibition Against Nature?.
Publications:
"Animals Do Do It," Alternatives Journal, Summer 2001
"Left-Handed Bears and Androgynous Cassowaries," Whole Earth, Spring 2000
"Beastly Homosexualities: Future Histories of Nonreproductive Sex and Technology," 2000
Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
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March 24, 2011(thanks, Ricky Gervais)
November 27, 2008
The perfect antidote for the Christian folks who believe homosexuality is "evil" or a "tool of Satan". This little-known book crushes any notion that homosexuality is anything other than just plain normal. The animal kingdom is rife with examples of homosexual behavior. Many of the animals studied preferred same-sex couplings their entire lives. Bagemihl's effort should be made available to high school biology students, college students...and seminarians struggling with their sexual identity. Why not 5 stars? The author tries to cram every single example he found into this massive book - highly repetitive and laden with dense text. Best used as a reference or text book.
January 20, 2012
My vote for best book on the planet? Possibly. Can I just say to Bruce Bagemihl, few have ever done such service to the general public with a book. It changes your ideas. You need this knowledge.
It's not merely about gay animals - though there's no end of them. Of value to me was its study of indigenous peoples, how they see animals - the sexual diversity of animals - and the results of this for their culture and ideas about the world. 'Exuberance' is a key concept: an exuberance of life that Western science has been blind to; a return to 'indigenous cosmologies' and what they have to teach us, more truly; a proposal for the future of animal science (where animals, of course, include humans).
It's not merely about gay animals - though there's no end of them. Of value to me was its study of indigenous peoples, how they see animals - the sexual diversity of animals - and the results of this for their culture and ideas about the world. 'Exuberance' is a key concept: an exuberance of life that Western science has been blind to; a return to 'indigenous cosmologies' and what they have to teach us, more truly; a proposal for the future of animal science (where animals, of course, include humans).
January 11, 2014
If there is any clear-thinking person who still believes homosexuality is not natural, he or she should read this book. Published 15 years ago, Biological Exuberance documents over 450 species of animals with homosexual practices of one kind or another. A superb job of reseach on the part of the author.
October 10, 2014
Animals are totally gay. No really, they are. This is the gay animal "Bible". I don't mean to cast aspersions on Dr. Bagemihl's work, I just mean to say that it is lengthy. It does have far more facts than the Bible, but the total mass of the volume is roughly equivalent.
This book should not be read by superstitious animals who were raised to believe that homosexuality is wrong. Nobody needs any Christian marmosets or dolphins protesting outside the publisher's office. Remember folks: Homosexuality is natural, Christianity is artificial.
This book should not be read by superstitious animals who were raised to believe that homosexuality is wrong. Nobody needs any Christian marmosets or dolphins protesting outside the publisher's office. Remember folks: Homosexuality is natural, Christianity is artificial.
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October 16, 2021Homosexuality isn't unnatural. Repressing it is.
Fascinating, easy to read. I still skimmed.
Fascinating, easy to read. I still skimmed.
September 10, 2019
Ya'll, I love this book. I own a copy of it and I will pass it along to anyone interested in looking through it. Every scientist, especially ecologists and biologists, should know about the intersex, diversity and all kinds of queer behavior across the animal kingdom. Every human being should be taught that, of course heterosexuality is NOT the only natural option out there. This world is full of color and beautiful diversity. Embrace the fact that life is not made up of boxes, the world is not black and white. Not to say in the slightest that human experiences are the same as non-human experiences, this book is saying: it's okay to be gay!
Everyone needs to read this book. Pass it along to age appropriate populations. Do you duty, spread the word of diversity and the beauty of our world.
Everyone needs to read this book. Pass it along to age appropriate populations. Do you duty, spread the word of diversity and the beauty of our world.
September 29, 2024
I did not read this cover to cover but I will definitely be coming back to it as the second half of the book is like an encyclopedia with entries on every animal. Some of the language seems a little outdated but this was fascinating.
February 7, 2017
It turns out that it’s not just humans who are sexually diverse and exuberant – a wide cross section of animals are “doing it” in myriad combinations of same and opposite sexes, for diverse purposes from reproduction to companionship to what appears like pure fun.
This meticulously researched and documented account catalogues mammals, birds, fish and others demonstrating what humans would call long term homosexual and heterosexual relationships, bisexuality, cross-dressing as well as transgender transformation, group sex, masturbation and the use of sex toys – just to name a few examples.
When I asked my mother how she brought liberal attitudes to homosexuality to our family in the 1960s, she said “growing up on a farm in the Karoo, I saw that even the sheep are homosexual sometimes - it is natural.” While Bagemihl doesn’t document domesticated sheep, he does note that male wild mountain sheep live in “homosexual societies” where “same-sex courtship and sexual activity occur routinely among all rams” including licking, nibbling, erections, and often full anal penetration actively facilitated by the male being mounted.
Ah, you might say, but homosexuality is un-African. You never see homosexual elephants or lions. Wrong again! “Both African and Asiatic Elephant males participate in homosexual mounting. Among African Elephants, same-sex activity … may be preceded by a great deal of caressing and affectionate behaviours. Two males intertwine their trunks, gently nudge each other, touch mouths in a “kiss,” place their trunk tips in each other’s mouth, roll over one another, and generally frolic together (sometimes with erections).” Sometimes female elephants masturbate each other with their trunks. And the catalogue of lion homosexuality is similar, including trios and mating circles.
Or you might say, it just shows you how lascivious homosexuals are, they never settle down. Wrong again. Both male and female homosexual pairs in many species form long-term childraising bonds, for example several gull, tern and goose species amongst birds, and among mammals the list includes grizzly bears, red foxes, warthogs, seals and even cheetahs. In the case of females, the pair might raise their own biological offspring, while male pairs often "adopt" young.
And so it goes on. This book is 750 pages long, meticulously footnoted, and includes two major sections. The first half surveys the natural world’s true biological exuberance, the second half catalogues details of homosexual, transgender, intersex and bisexual behaviour in a wide range of species, including courtship behaviour, sexual activities, pair-bonding and parenting. There is also a useful section on how it came to be that animal homosexuality was so seriously overlooked in centuries of biological observation. If ever you wanted a story about how even scientists sometimes see only what they want to see, read this book.
This meticulously researched and documented account catalogues mammals, birds, fish and others demonstrating what humans would call long term homosexual and heterosexual relationships, bisexuality, cross-dressing as well as transgender transformation, group sex, masturbation and the use of sex toys – just to name a few examples.
When I asked my mother how she brought liberal attitudes to homosexuality to our family in the 1960s, she said “growing up on a farm in the Karoo, I saw that even the sheep are homosexual sometimes - it is natural.” While Bagemihl doesn’t document domesticated sheep, he does note that male wild mountain sheep live in “homosexual societies” where “same-sex courtship and sexual activity occur routinely among all rams” including licking, nibbling, erections, and often full anal penetration actively facilitated by the male being mounted.
Ah, you might say, but homosexuality is un-African. You never see homosexual elephants or lions. Wrong again! “Both African and Asiatic Elephant males participate in homosexual mounting. Among African Elephants, same-sex activity … may be preceded by a great deal of caressing and affectionate behaviours. Two males intertwine their trunks, gently nudge each other, touch mouths in a “kiss,” place their trunk tips in each other’s mouth, roll over one another, and generally frolic together (sometimes with erections).” Sometimes female elephants masturbate each other with their trunks. And the catalogue of lion homosexuality is similar, including trios and mating circles.
Or you might say, it just shows you how lascivious homosexuals are, they never settle down. Wrong again. Both male and female homosexual pairs in many species form long-term childraising bonds, for example several gull, tern and goose species amongst birds, and among mammals the list includes grizzly bears, red foxes, warthogs, seals and even cheetahs. In the case of females, the pair might raise their own biological offspring, while male pairs often "adopt" young.
And so it goes on. This book is 750 pages long, meticulously footnoted, and includes two major sections. The first half surveys the natural world’s true biological exuberance, the second half catalogues details of homosexual, transgender, intersex and bisexual behaviour in a wide range of species, including courtship behaviour, sexual activities, pair-bonding and parenting. There is also a useful section on how it came to be that animal homosexuality was so seriously overlooked in centuries of biological observation. If ever you wanted a story about how even scientists sometimes see only what they want to see, read this book.
December 19, 2012
Whether you are interested in evolutionary biology, sociobiology, the continuum of "human" behaviors found in animals, or just telling that douchebag at the bar who says "homosexuality isn't natural" that he's full of shit, this book delivers.
Part 1 addresses the more generalized questions which arise from understanding non-reproductive sexuality. Part 2 takes a taxonomic approach to organizing and presenting homosexuality across species and orders.
Most of us are familiar with homosexuality in bonobo societies, but this book delves into many other marine and land mammals, birds and more to further solidify the fact that homosexuality is in no way "unnatural."
Part 1 addresses the more generalized questions which arise from understanding non-reproductive sexuality. Part 2 takes a taxonomic approach to organizing and presenting homosexuality across species and orders.
Most of us are familiar with homosexuality in bonobo societies, but this book delves into many other marine and land mammals, birds and more to further solidify the fact that homosexuality is in no way "unnatural."
July 15, 2012
I'm just re-reading the first 250 pages in preparation for something I'm writing, but I'll go ahead and log this so that I can give this mind-blowing book the five stars it deserves. Don't be daunted by the heft of it: Begemihl deftly manages his aim of producing a text that is both sufficiently scholarly and accessible for a non-specialist audience. The first half is pure text; the rest is listings of the details of same-sex behavior among apecific animals, which may be browsed. Even if you already know the gist of it (same-sex courtship, affection, pair-bonding, parenting, and sex have been observed among hundreds of species of animals), it's worth the effort to read this book, both because details matter and because, in the course of introducing and discussing these findings, Bagemihl raises numerous important questions about sex, gender, and human-animal relations. I assign the first chapter when I teach LGBTQ studies, and my students have never been sorry to read it.
Update: The first time I read this, shortly after its publication, I was mostly interested in its exhaustively researched account of same-sex sexual behavior among non-human animals and the scientific cover-up thereof. This time, I again appreciated all of that but was particularly impressed by Bagemihl's discussion of post-Darwinian theories of evolution and in particular by his own suggestion of "biological exuberance" as a frame-work by which numerous recent findings in Western science and various indigenous insights might be synthesized. So... read that chapter too.
Update: The first time I read this, shortly after its publication, I was mostly interested in its exhaustively researched account of same-sex sexual behavior among non-human animals and the scientific cover-up thereof. This time, I again appreciated all of that but was particularly impressed by Bagemihl's discussion of post-Darwinian theories of evolution and in particular by his own suggestion of "biological exuberance" as a frame-work by which numerous recent findings in Western science and various indigenous insights might be synthesized. So... read that chapter too.
March 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this book !! While definitely a text book it is easy understood and so interesting.
It is focused primarily on showing how homosexuality is just as prevalent amongst all species on earth, and does a very good job of it.
What I found most interesting, though where all the other tid-bits of information about so many different species of mammals..
Excellent science & nature book a very enjoyable read.
It is focused primarily on showing how homosexuality is just as prevalent amongst all species on earth, and does a very good job of it.
What I found most interesting, though where all the other tid-bits of information about so many different species of mammals..
Excellent science & nature book a very enjoyable read.
January 27, 2008
The writing is a bit repetitive but the pictures are Fantastic.
September 14, 2024
The universe is not only queerer than we suppose, it is queerer than we can suppose.
- J.B.S. Haldane
- J.B.S. Haldane
November 19, 2021
A well-supported and engagingly written study of homosexual behavior in animals, particularly mammals and birds. The book discusses the behavior of individual species, ways in which behavior can be studied, the implications for evolutionary theory and for the study of corresponding behaviors in humans, the place of reproduction in the natural world, and more.
I read natural history and nature writing voraciously and had no idea that these behaviors were so prevalent, which seems like an argument in itself for Bagemihl's criticism of zoologists' ignoring them. As he points out, all mating behaviors are hard to observe (it was amazing to learn that at the time the book was written Black-Headed Grosbeaks had only once been observed mating; they are a common bird that breeds in North America). At times, it seems to me that Bagemihl's analysis overinterprets, assuming that all incidences of mounting, for example, are sexual. Still, enough of his evidence appears irreproachable to make the book a real eye-opener.
I read natural history and nature writing voraciously and had no idea that these behaviors were so prevalent, which seems like an argument in itself for Bagemihl's criticism of zoologists' ignoring them. As he points out, all mating behaviors are hard to observe (it was amazing to learn that at the time the book was written Black-Headed Grosbeaks had only once been observed mating; they are a common bird that breeds in North America). At times, it seems to me that Bagemihl's analysis overinterprets, assuming that all incidences of mounting, for example, are sexual. Still, enough of his evidence appears irreproachable to make the book a real eye-opener.
March 28, 2019
If anybody, ever again, anywhere, in any context, makes the statement that 'homosexuality is unnatural' - it should be legal to shove a copy of this voluminous work somewhere painful.
Mother Nature turns out to be quite a lesbian, quite a queen. Even a drag queen. In an abundance of species and in an abundance of settings, homosexuality (even exclusive homosexuality) occurs.
This book not only debunks the stupid statement force fed en masse to young ones without the means to disagree...
But it is a celebration. A beautiful book that shows it is a gay world after all.
Mother Nature turns out to be quite a lesbian, quite a queen. Even a drag queen. In an abundance of species and in an abundance of settings, homosexuality (even exclusive homosexuality) occurs.
This book not only debunks the stupid statement force fed en masse to young ones without the means to disagree...
But it is a celebration. A beautiful book that shows it is a gay world after all.
March 22, 2010
Mary randomly found this in a library in Providence, and I can't believe I'd never heard of it! I've just thumbed through it so far - it's set up much like an encyclopedia with tons of provocative illustrations and photos. I've been a big nerd on nature books and field guides since I was a little boy in Nebraska (wanting to be a marine biologist in Florida), and this is probably one of the most exciting "nature" books I've seen in years! Looking forward to finding a copy when I get home.
September 23, 2016
Fascinating! Most animals are gay! My favorite part is reading how field scientists have covered up, condemned and made excuses (in scholarly publications) for the obviously gay behavior of the animals they were studying...."A Note on the Apparent Lowering of Moral Standards...." on BUTTERFLIES!!! The book is huge, but only the first 250 pages are text, the rest is more of an encyclopedia of homosexual and transgender behavior of animals....another 400 pages! Who knew?
September 22, 2021
"Biological Exuberance is, above all, an affirmation of life's vitality and infinite possibilities: a worldview that is once primordial and futuristic, in which gender is kaleidoscopic, sexualities are multiple, and the categories of male and female are fluid and transmutable. A world, in short, exactly like the one we inhabit."
March 31, 2021
Full of information and data that keep getting sidelined or left out of reports. Excellent for browsing. Also has, like, the best cover ever. (That's a cassowary, though, and they will hem you *all* the way up, so don't let that fab face fool you.)
October 9, 2014
This is the rare science book that is both thorough AND entertaining. It reignited my passion for zoology. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in animal behavior.
May 10, 2023
Great reference book but stays almost wholly in the realm of mammals and birds.
June 24, 2023
Given the age of this book, I cannot fault the terminology used in this book (especially with the interchanging of the terms transgender and intersex, which we now know are two different things). I can, however, fault the dryness and repetition. It reads as a dissertation, and given Bagemihl is a PhD I will grant him that but the first portion of the book was so incredibly slow going as he repeated the same handful of species to reiterate the same points paragraph after paragraph. Better to have some more succinctness to it. Second half of the book is a treasure trove of information. This book reads more like an encyclopedia than a reading book, and perhaps my not approaching this book like that on the first page is my own fault. Still 4 stars for being such a wonderful resource. Would be 4.5 if he didn't insist on using "gregarious" to describe near on every damn bird.
February 15, 2019
I recommend this book to EVERYONE. It is an easy read, equal parts scientific and colloquial, which serves to break up the notion that nature is heterosexual by design and by default (and that, as nature documentaries love to sing, all or even most animals live in family units comfortably parallel to human ones, with "Mommy," "Daddy," and so on.)
Once the groundwork is laid, the book begins an alphabetically-listed discourse on homosexual animal behavior as scientifically observed. If anyone in the year of our Lord 2019 is still trying to tell you that homosexuality is "unnatural" to any degree, sweetly push this volume under their nose.
Once the groundwork is laid, the book begins an alphabetically-listed discourse on homosexual animal behavior as scientifically observed. If anyone in the year of our Lord 2019 is still trying to tell you that homosexuality is "unnatural" to any degree, sweetly push this volume under their nose.
July 9, 2025
Здаецца, што такога можна напісаць пра гомасэксуальнасць жывёл на 700+ старонак? Апынулася, што гэта – толькі паскрэбці паверхню.
Сама кніга падзелена на дзве часткі. Першая палова больш навуковая і разбірае формы/тыпы гомасэксуальнасці жывёл, праблемы вывучэння тэмы і спробы растлумачыць феномен. Другая частка кнігі ўжо ўключае ў сябе канкрэтныя віды і іх плоцевае жыццё (але толькі птушак і млекакормячых). Аўтар правёў проста велізарную працу ў сістэматызацыі даступнай інфармацыі. Колькасць фактаў і дэталяў уражвае, нават на знаёмыя віды глядзіш з новага боку і разумееш, як мала ты сапраўды ведаеш пра навакольны свет. Для пашырэння кругагляда кніга - проста скарбніца інфармацыі.
Сама кніга падзелена на дзве часткі. Першая палова больш навуковая і разбірае формы/тыпы гомасэксуальнасці жывёл, праблемы вывучэння тэмы і спробы растлумачыць феномен. Другая частка кнігі ўжо ўключае ў сябе канкрэтныя віды і іх плоцевае жыццё (але толькі птушак і млекакормячых). Аўтар правёў проста велізарную працу ў сістэматызацыі даступнай інфармацыі. Колькасць фактаў і дэталяў уражвае, нават на знаёмыя віды глядзіш з новага боку і разумееш, як мала ты сапраўды ведаеш пра навакольны свет. Для пашырэння кругагляда кніга - проста скарбніца інфармацыі.
August 4, 2017
"For most people, animals are symbolic: their significance lies not in what they are, but in what we think they are."
Really interesting book about the biology of animals (and therefore, people). I probably wouldn't read this if I was of the mind that "homosexuality is a sin" or "a choice" unless you're looking to be more open minded or learn something. Because it is a fact that same sex partnerships occur in nature for reasons more that "there weren't any opposite gender animals around."
Really interesting book about the biology of animals (and therefore, people). I probably wouldn't read this if I was of the mind that "homosexuality is a sin" or "a choice" unless you're looking to be more open minded or learn something. Because it is a fact that same sex partnerships occur in nature for reasons more that "there weren't any opposite gender animals around."
November 14, 2019
I chose this book a year ago for a school project specifically because I'm both bisexual and transgender. The book was incredibly informative about the quirks of dozens of species and families that share these traits-- everything from the clown fish (think Nemo and Dory) to bonobos to animals you've never heard of is included in here.
Unfortunately, it often read like a catalog of unusual behaviors rather than an analysis of the factors that drive these behaviors.
Unfortunately, it often read like a catalog of unusual behaviors rather than an analysis of the factors that drive these behaviors.
January 3, 2025
Challenged what I had previously learned and thought I knew about evolution and natural selection. Broadened my understanding of just how freaky nature is in general and the “magnificent overabundance of reality”.
I hope I can continue to “find the intoxication contained in a glass of water, where before even the most sophisticated wine seemed flavourless”.
Required reading.
I hope I can continue to “find the intoxication contained in a glass of water, where before even the most sophisticated wine seemed flavourless”.
Required reading.
January 24, 2024
An exceptional treatise on a subject that was obscured, avoided, excused away, forgotten, actively overlooked, and lied about by legitimate scholars and scientists because it violated the way they assumed/were conditioned to believe the world was.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
I cannot recommend this book enough.
February 15, 2018
It's very informative and truthful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews