Many people may have seen the mating process of dogs when they were young, and at that time, one of the most surprising observations was the "knotting" phenomenon that occurs in dogs during mating. This condition, known scientifically as "mating knotting," is not only confusing, it raises many questions about dog reproductive behavior and even makes many people curious about this biological mystery.
First of all, why do dogs "knot"? This phenomenon is mainly related to the reproductive structure of dogs. The "bulbar glands" of male dogs will expand during mating, forming a "knotted" state. This means that when a male dog enters a female dog's body, the bulbar glands fill with blood and expand, making it impossible for the male to pull out immediately. During this time, the two dogs are closely connected, and this usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes.
"This mechanism is part of natural selection to increase the chance of pregnancy and prevent other male dogs from approaching the female during this time."
The reproductive system of the male dog is composed of three parts of erectile tissue, including two corpora cavernosa and one corpora cavernosa. This structure is common to most mammals. Compared with the human reproductive system, this structure has its own unique features, especially the "knotting" phenomenon during mating, which highlights its evolutionary importance.
After female dogs reach sexual maturity, they will enter the reproductive cycle, which is crucial for their reproduction. During this cycle, female dogs will first enter the "pre-estrus" period, and then enter the "estrus" period where pregnancy is easy. Changes during this stage also drive mating behavior in male dogs.
"The behavior of male dogs is often affected by hormones in the atmosphere, while the reproductive cycle of female dogs determines their ability to conceive."
During the mating process, the male dog will climb up the female dog from behind to mate. If a female dog is receptive to mating, her tail will move to one side, which is called a "signal." When a male dog is mating, he will not fully erect initially until he enters the female dog's body. As sexual intercourse proceeds, the erectile tissue will expand rapidly, further strengthening the knotting phenomenon.
The knotting phenomenon is not only caused by physiological structure, but also helps to increase the possibility of pregnancy. When the male dog's bulbous glands swell in the female dog's body, the two dogs will form a highly sealed environment, which helps to increase the survival rate of sperm and prevent the loss of semen.
“This adaptive characteristic reflects the magnificent process of continuous evolution of organisms in nature in order to reproduce.”
This mysterious "knotting" phenomenon is not only surprising, but also allows us to better understand the dog's reproductive behavior and its physiological mechanism. It reminds us that there is often more to things than meets the eye. In this journey about reproduction, what we should probably think about is: Does the result of this natural selection have similar manifestations in other animals?