When I taught introductory and advanced courses on animal behavior, many students woke up when I talked about the sex lives of a wide variety of animals.
While there were a good number of books that covered topics that are central to understanding the sex lives of nonhumans in some detail, there weren’t any that did what artist and environmentalist Perrin Roosevelt Ireland does in her stunning fact-and story-filled beautifully illustrated new book Poking the Squid: What We Can Learn from Animal Sex. As I read this “wild biodiversity ride through queerness, infidelity, consent, divorce, sex change, and even sexual cannibalism in the animal world”, I found myself continually saying, “Wow, amazing―I didn’t know that!” I was thrilled when Perrin agreed to do an interview and here’s what she had to say about “the wildly creative kinkiness of animal sexual behavior”.
Marc Bekoff: Why did you write Poking the Squid?
Perrin Roosevelt Ireland: I believe, during a sixth mass extinction event, that we must take pleasure in the wonder of animals. Can you believe we live at the same time as two-toed sloths and chain-mail snails? But the ongoing news of a biodiversity crisis brings sad tidings. I wrote Poking the Squid to invite readers into a pleasurable experience learning about animal sex, which for me is a joy, and a laugh! My work aims to make academic journal papers and the work of many incredible scientists studying animal behavior as accessible as possible, so people feel welcome taking the plunge and becoming nature nerds like me.
MB: How does your book relate to your background and general areas of interest?
PRI: I studied developmental biology at Brown University and communicated about environmental issues at the Natural Resources Defense Council for a decade. I also took classes on feminist science and technology studies at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research with Danya Glabau, entering a world of thoughtful critique of evolutionary biology and ethology by feminist biologists, social scientists, and theorists. I wanted to write about animal sex using science and also queer and feminist perspectives.1
MB: Who do you hope to reach?
PRI: This book is for animal lovers, or the animal-curious. It’s for people who love sex, and for asexuals. It’s for people that love comics, or are new to the genre. It’s a juicy watercolor “come on in, the water’s warm!” argument for how diversity in any discipline improves research, and an invitation to anyone who reads it to remember: you are an earthling, and you belong here. Sexual diversity is biodiversity. Let your freak flag fly, baby!
MB: What are some of the topics you consider and what are some of your major messages
PRI: I think animals are sexual geniuses! Life has manifested astonishingly myriad ways to keep making more of itself! Studying animal sex is a great way to restore a sense that animals have agency (beyond just reproducing) and are making choices for themselves about their lives all the time. We have a lot to learn from them!
Climate change has already impacted animal sex and changed mating patterns. Scientists have observed that Black-browed albatrosses, a species that historically mates for life, have seen a large uptick in “divorce.” After studying a breeding colony on the Falkland Islands, scientists discovered that “divorce rates” are higher in years when the ocean surface temperature is warmer. We need to protect animal sex. I want a world where critters get their rocks off in as many ways as possible. Don’t you?!
Animal sexual diversity reminds us that all god’s critters have a place in the choir, and there’s room for everyone in the critter kink brigade. For every rule that exists, there are many more examples of animals breaking them! The star breeding couple in a long-term study on bearded lizards in Australia revealed two genetic males were making tons of babies together. And yes, frogs have a variety of genitalia, but that’s not been found to actually be caused by toxic chemicals. Environmentalists should push back against chemical companies dumping into fresh water bodies, for sure, but not for trans-exclusionary radical feminist reasons.
There is not a mutually agreed upon scientific definition of “sex.” Spending time with the diversity of animal sexual expression allows us to learn from nature that sexual variables do not always align in the same repeatable ways in each animal body.
But the term “biological sex” is being weaponized outside of the academy right now, to the extreme detriment of the lives and wellbeing of trans people, LGBTQ people, and all women. Science needs to grapple with its role in the discrepancy between what is being claimed about “biology” and what the study of biology is actually finding about sex.
On that note! Having more diversity in who makes science means we see animals better. The book features an incredible group of scientists trying to understand animal sex. Whether they’re making vaginal popsicles with dental silicone or video recording worms sucking sperm out of their bodies to avoid getting pregnant after sex, these scientists should be worldwide celebrities.
Animal Behavior Essential Reads
MB: How does your work differ from others that are concerned with some of the same general topics?
PRI: I don’t stumble upon a lot of hand-drawn watercolor nonfiction comic books about animal sex, I’ll say that! I learn by drawing. My work is for other visual learners. I want general readers to have access to rigorous science through friendly comics. I am no expert, and my cats Ursula and Pudge join me and the reader to learn together as we go, through lots of conversations with the real pros: scientists, theorists, philosophers, and journalists. Nature makes the best jokes. I just want to pay enough attention to catch the punchline.
MB: Are you hopeful that as people learn more about this topic they will develop a deeper appreciation for sexual diversity and incorporate these lessons about animal sex into their attitudes about sexual behavior in general?
PRI: Learning about animal sexual diversity changed me. I really see the world differently today after writing this book. Animals are such incredible shapeshifters, pranksters, creative geniuses at how they conduct their sex lives. I cannot imagine ever thinking I could presume to know how one “ought” to bury their boner, or how a body “should” be organized, ever again. It’s my great hope that readers get to share that expansive experience with me and Ursula and Pudge. Let’s let animals change us, and then let’s fight like hell to stop them from going extinct.