This sheep has horns like a male — but a female reproductive system. Some animals are naturally intersex

Mina wanted to be the boss, but it confused the other sheep in the flock. Credit: Ragna Kronstad
Mina wanted to be the boss, but it confused the other sheep in the flock. Credit: Ragna Kronstad

In rare cases, humans can also be born with both male and female reproductive organs, and the same goes for other animal species.

We visited a farm to investigate Mina’s condition.

“These are Mina’s horns. Look how beautiful and big they are,” Ragna Kronstad says.

Mina had larger horns and body than the other female sheep. She also had a female reproductive system.

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Mina suddenly exhibited male behaviours when the sheep were about to mate.

“Mina stomped and put their nose in the air. That’s what rams do to show off. Mina also protected the other ewes, the female sheep, from being mated by another ram,” Kronstad says.

Mina’s behaviour confused the other sheep, and Mina had a hard time finding their place in the flock. Mina wanted to be the boss, but the other sheep did not accept this.

When they examined Mina, they checked a small piece of her flesh under a microscope. It turned out that the sheep had testicles, a vagina, and an underdeveloped uterus.

“Mina was what we call intersex,” [Anette Kristine Krogenæs, professor of veterinary medicine at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences] says.

Vets can see this in several species such as sheep, cows and pigs.

This is an excerpt. Read the full article here

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