Do humans have a mating season?

We share a behaviour with Bonobo chimps that makes us unique on the world of mammals.


Asked by: Mark Kawa, by email

No. Women ovulate roughly once every 28 days but are theoretically sexually receptive, regardless of fertility, for virtually the entire duration of their menstrual cycle. This concealed ovulation is almost unique to humans and may have evolved as a way of reducing conflict over mating partners in groups.

Bonobo chimps are the only other mammal that's been observed behaving this way.

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