I was doing my Anthropology homework today, and we're on the SEX CHAPTER, so I was actually interested. I read about the bonobo monkeys. Fascinating.

Except for chimps and bonobo monkeys, all primates only have sex when they are in estrus, or heat. But forget about the chimps, cause they weren't nearly as interesting.

When feeding, the bonobos posture sexually towards each other, rubbing rumps or presenting themselves in a sexual manner. They have sex face-to-face. The female genitalia of the bonobo monkey is positioned for stimulation, and there is evidence that the females experience orgasms. It's not limited to male/female relationships, either. Females will rub against each other and males will mount each other and engage in oral sex.

Their sexual activity occurs on a conscious level. Some of the functions of sexual behavior listed were "the promotion of sharing food and things of interest (ie, toys), the negotiation of favors, resolution of social tension, and reconciliation after aggressive episodes. They are nearly constantly aware of their sexuality. And the book says that this leads to female bonding. (that happens when the boy monkey does the girl monkey wrong. they eat banana ice cream and watch Desperate Housemonkeys. It's in the book, really. I'm not making it up.)

I went over to sit in Celeste's cubie and read to her about the bonobo's.

"Isn't that cool?"

"That's amazing."

"That is so weird. I'm actually interested in this chapter now."

"Sounds like a good life. I mean, monkeys have no bills."

"This is true."

"I wonder if they enjoy it."

"Nah, probably not."

"Yeah, they probably don't."

"They're probably laying there analyzing, like "What does this MEAN?" "I hope he calls." "Does this mean I'm gay?""