Do Ducks Have Testicles?
It’s quite a common curiosity among people regarding ducks and testicles. But apart from all, do ducks have testicles, in the first place?
The answer is yes. Most birds have testicles, and ducks are no different. But there is a difference in the location of the testicles. A male duck has two testicles, and they aren’t external but internal.
Whatever it is, if you’re interested to know some more facts about duck testicles, give this article a go!
Related articles about fun facts of ducks!
Where Are Duck’s Testicles Located?
The absence of external testicles might make some people think that ducks don’t have testicles, but that’s not true. Duck’s testicles aren’t seen, but they have testicles. Then where are they located?
Well, like some other birds, duck testicles are located inside the body, near the tail base. Ducks have ball sacks as well which contain the testicles. The ball sack is also known as the scrotum. The sack size varies from breed to breed, but usually, it is small.
Why Do Ducks Have Testicles?
We all know that testicles are an integral part of the male reproductive system of all animals. And ducks are no different. The main function of testicles is to produce sperm which is a very complex process as it requires a specific temperature.
Plus, it also requires a continuous supply of nutrients and hormones. Apart from that, the testicles also produce hormones like testosterone. It’s a key hormone for sexual development.
Do Ducks Have Penises?
It’s hard to say whether ducks have penises or not. But Male ducks have an organ that functions like a penis, and it’s called the phallus. This is used for mating and transferring semen.
It’s located in the Cloaca, the only opening through which ducks poop, urinate, and lay eggs. Ducks mating organ is different, it’s usually coiled up in the cloaca wall, and when it’s erect, it comes out to transfer the sperm. One fun fact about a duck’s phallus is some duck’s phallus is longer than its body.
How Big Are Duck Testicles?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on the duck breed. Some breeds grow large testicles and some small.
But the testicles in an average size duck can be equal to the size of marbles. However, it’s a wild guess; there isn’t any strong evidence backing it up.
Male Duck Reproductive System
As discussed earlier, male ducks have testicles that produce sperm. And when mating, these testicles increase in size. There is a duct behind the testicles, which is called the epididymis. During mating, sperm are moved to the epididymis, and from there, the sperm is again moved to the vas deferens (the vein carries sperm from the testicles to the urethra).
From the vas deferens, sperm are moved to the Cloaca, from where the sperm is transferred to the female duck. In case you don’t know, ducks reproduce through internal fertilization, and one advantage of that is sperm transfer is successful most of the time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, male ducks have two testicles which are located inside the body. These testicles play a major role in the male duck’s reproductive health by producing sperm and storing them.
With that said, we hope this guide on do ducks have testicles answers all your queries regarding this matter. And if you want to read more blogs like this, don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest.
Image Credits:
- Canva.com/phtos
- Researchgate.ne (Patricia L R Brennan)
