Penis and testicles are not normally visible. They are maintained in a bag (called penial bag) thanks to retractor muscles. During erection (which is always voluntary), the muscles loosen and the penis is released (but not the testicles). The organ is mainly made of a hollow body, a spongin body around the urethra and of a fibrous texture. This last one could be responsible for the erection once the retractor muscles are loosened. However, some scientists think it is emphasised by a vasodilatation system.

 

 

The male sex is also used as a tactile tool during the nuptial parade. When the animal dies, the penis is released from the uro-genital slit and become therefore visible (it is explained by the fact that the retractor muscles are normally contracted and are only loosened up during the sexual intercourse or the death).

 

 

 

 


 

The vulva has a shallow vestibule (connected to the vaginal cavity), with an opening (situated below the anus) linked with it in a skinner pocket. Therefore there is no perineum. There is no hymen either. The labia majora; limiting the opening of the vulva, are very thick and fatty and frame the labia minora. These last ones include, in some kind of prepuce, the clitoris, which is short and bent. The vagina is of elongated shape, cylindrical and narrower at the entrance. It is very different in the part close to the uterus. In its terminal zone, it is surrounded by a constrictor muscle. The uterus has 2 tubes (as Fallopian tubes), but only one is developed (the left one called left horn). These horns become ramified at the extremities, where the ovaries are sometimes nested. They swell progressively to the back and become one on a body quite short and linked to the vagina by a neck.

 

 

 

 

 

 


The mammary apparatus is situated in the abdominal position on each side of the median line. The 2 breasts are close to the genital apparatus and are contained in a pocket called mammary (the mammary slit only open whenever needed) situated just before the genital slit.
The extremity of each breast, called nipple, has only one opening, being the final extremity of the milk canal. This canal is connected with secondary canals, just like an irrigation system. The milk is collected in a pocket situated close to the nipple. It is then sent outside using pressure thanks to a mammary compression muscle. It avoids losing too much milk in the seawater. Under pressure, the milk is sent directly and quickly in the calf’s mouth. There is no classical breast-feeding as the areas in contact are too rigid (mouth) and unable to create the necessary suction.

 

The male also have breasts, but without any function and are atrophied.