Gay animals: same-sex science

For around 700 years scientists observed same-sex pairings in as many as 1500 different species, but didn't record or publish their findings due to public perceptions.

Now research is catching up and many papers on queer behaviour in nature have been published in the past two decades.

This discussion was recorded live at Mardi Gras 2026 and presented by the Royal Zoological Society of NSW for Wildlife at the Watering Hole.

Featuring :

• Daphne Willemsen, behavioural ecologist, PhD candidate at the University of NSW
• Lucien Alperstein, microbial ecologist, PhD candidate at the University of NSW
• Dr Caitlin Creak, behavioural ecologist and arachnologist, University of NSW
• Cody Williams, marine biologist, PhD candidate at the University of NSW
• With research by Neve Kelly, geneticist, PhD candidate at the University of NSW

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer
• Rebecca McLaren, Producer
• Hamish Camilleri, Sound Engineer
• Recording by Harvey O'Sullivan

This episode of What the Duck?! was recorded and produced on the lands of the Eora and Kulin Nations.

Find more episodes of the ABC podcast, What the Duck?! with the always curious Dr Ann Jones exploring the mysteries of nature on ABC Listen (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. You'll learn more about the weird and unusual aspects of our natural world in a quirky, fun way with easy to understand science.