Unveiling the Unconventional Bat Sex Rituals in Church Attics

A Dutch retiree recording bat sex in a church attic has helped scientists solve the mystery of the serotine bat's disproportionately large penis. The researchers discovered that the bat uses its penis as a "copulatory arm" during mating, rather than for penetration. This marks the first documented case of a mammal reproducing without penetrative sex. The serotine bat's penis is super long and expands into the shape of a heart, making it seven times wider than the female's vagina. The researchers analyzed footage from the retiree's cameras and observed the bats mating, shedding light on this unique reproductive strategy.