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August 20, 2008 5:13:33 PM CDT

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Homosexuality: It's Perfectly Natural

Posted May 19, 08 7:28 PM CDT in Arts & Living,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – It may throw a wrench in Noah's ark-stocking plans, but same-sex relationships appear in many animal species, reports LiveScience.com. The long list of animals that practice gay sex includes bears, penguins, gorillas, and dolphins, among others. But scientists question the act's evolutionary purpose, because it doesn't aid in reproduction. It may be an adaptation for nurturing offspring, or just a dry run.

"It could be a way that you strengthen bonds—that's one hypothesis," says one biologist. "Another is that it could be practice for heterosexual sex."

Sources LiveScience, National Geographic

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Yep, even giraffes are gay. One giraffe nuzzles another in this file photo. (Mitch Reardon/Lonely Planet Images)   (Mitch Reardon/Lonely Planet Images)
Two bottlenose dolphins kiss in this AP file photo. Dolphin calves display homosexual tendencies and "mount each other a lot," says one biologist. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)   (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Flamingos are among the 1,500 animals species known to have homosexual relationships. (AP Photo/Mehgan Murphy/ Smithsonian's National Zoo)   (AP Photo/Mehgan Murphy)
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