Female domestic animals used for reproduction, such as dogs, pigs, cattle, and horses, are observed for physical indications of an estrous cycle period, which signifies the animal is prepared for insemination. Continue reading, you will learn the reason why mammals have periods.
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Do All Mammals Have Periods?
Menstruation has only been noted in other primates besides humans, such as The elephant shrew, 3-5 species of bats, and Old World monkeys and apes (which are primarily found in Africa and Asia). Depending on the species, cycles can last anywhere from 24 to 37 days in primates, 21 to 33 days in bats, and only once at the end of the breeding season in elephant shrews. However, the length of cycles varies from one species to another. Animals without periods include dogs, cows, horses, and whales. Instead, their reproductive hormones induce “the heat” which results in bleeding only in dogs.
Do Animals Bleed on Their Period?
In actuality, very few animal species (aside from primates) have any sort of menstrual cycle. Even though some animals, like cats and dogs, bleed and discharge when they’re in heat, it can’t compare to the four to twelve teaspoons of blood and fluid that we human women lose during our Time Of The Month.
Which Mammals Do Not Have Periods?
Other mammals, such as dogs, cows, horses, or whales don’t have periods. Instead, their reproductive hormones induce “the heat” (i.e. estrous cycle) which results in bleeding only in dogs (this being the source of a common misconception about menstruating dogs).
Why Do Humans – and So Few Other Animals – Have Periods?
As it turns out, even among mammals, menstruation is a fairly uncommon occurrence in the animal kingdom. A few types of bats and elephant shrews also menstruate, though not as frequently as humans.
That’s it. The number of myths, taboos, and misconceptions surrounding this phenomenon is a testament to how rare and alarming it is – the word taboo itself likely derives from the Polynesian word for menstruation, tapua. Menstrual blood, according to Pliny the Elder, could prevent seeds from germinating, cause plants to wither, and cause fruit to fall from trees.
Conveniently, if the menstruator walked around in it naked, it could also get rid of pests from a field. People have been compelled to remain alone during their periods throughout history out of concern that they will spoil food or make men lose their virility. Because periods are still widely stigmatized and discussing them openly causes discomfort, menstruation is still poorly understood.
Conclusion on Mammals Have Periods
Other mammals, such as dogs, cows, horses, or whales don’t have periods. Instead, their reproductive hormones induce “the heat” (i.e. estrous cycle) which results in bleeding only in dogs, this being the source of a common misconception about menstruating dogs.