Stat of the day: Origins of masturbation traced back to primates 40m years ago

Bonobos at San Diego zoo in California. The UCL scientists said masturbation was common across primates of all sexes and ages. Photograph: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance/Reuters

June 7, 2023

Evolutionary biologists have traced the origins of masturbation to ancient primates that predate the first humans by tens of millions of years. The findings emerged from what scientists believe is the largest dataset ever compiled on the activity, and confirm that humans arose on a branch of the tree of life replete with self-pleasuring predecessors. The scientists’ analyses found support for the idea that male masturbation boosted the chances of impregnating a mate but more data was needed to nail down the evolutionary drivers for masturbation in females.

“What we can say is this behaviour was present around 40m years ago, in the common ancestor of all monkeys and apes,” said Dr Matilda Brindle, the lead researcher on the study at University College London. “It’s not that some species woke up one day and started doing it. This is an ancient, evolved trait.”

The Guardian (info@editorial.theguardian.com)

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