QUEER DUCKS (AND OTHER ANIMALS) by Eliot Schrefer

 

Readers hang onto your hats. If the book And Tango Makes Three and the idea of a male-male penguin couple raising a chick together has you running to ban it from the library, QUEER DUCKS (AND OTHER ANIMALS) might not be the book for you. However, if you are more open-minded or just plain curious and want to learn more about the animal world, I highly recommend this new release from author Eliot Schrefer.

Animal behavior has been studied in one way or another since the beginning of science. An area of interest that scientists admit they have observed and studied, but not frequently included in publications, is animal sexuality. Oh, there's plenty of information to be found about mating rituals and animal reproduction, but QUEER DUCKS puts the focus on a different area. 

Author Eliot Schrefer admits that as a confused, young, gay boy, he did discover the animal world might have some similar situations if not answers to sexual preferences and identity. In this book Schrefer combines scientific study and information with fun commentary about a variety of animals and their behavior.

Beginning with the doodlebug's male-male attraction, Schrefer reveals that what most people normally assume is mating between a male and female, may not be the case. First of all, telling the difference between male and female doodlebugs, penguins, and many other species isn't as easy as one might think. Because of this, most casual observers probably miss the fact that animals regularly participate in same sex and bisexual sexual activities and more.

Although animals use sex to reproduce, they also exhibit habits that suggest they participate in various forms of sex for the simple fact that they like it. Schrefer reveals it is common for female dolphins to enjoy sexual activity together, for bonobos primates to enjoy orgies on the regular, and that male-male action between bulls is quite common. 

QUEER DUCKS also includes interviews with wildlife researchers and biologists who provide even more unusual facts about animal sexuality. Their commentary adds not only an additional level of facts, but also an interesting look at career opportunities in science for budding science geeks. 

Aimed at an audience of readers age 14+, QUEER DUCKS is a fascinating read. I live on an inland, Michigan lake, and after reading this book I am now much more aware of the activities of the waterfowl I enjoy watching from my front porch. I will definitely be including this book on the required reading list for my future Adolescent Literature students.