Fatshimetry, a media dedicated to the discovery and exploration of the animal world, today immerses us in a fascinating subject: animals that menstruate, similar to the process observed in humans. While menstruation is a common feature among women, it remains rare in the animal kingdom. Let’s discover together some species that share this astonishing phenomenon.
Chimpanzees, our close cousins, have menstrual cycles comparable to those of women, extending over a period of 28 to 35 days. When not conceiving, female chimpanzees experience menstruation, although generally less profuse than humans.
Bonobos, also close relatives of humans, display menstrual cycles similar to those of chimpanzees. Their menstrual period occurs every 32 to 35 days, reflecting their genetic link to the human species.
Baboons, another primate species, also fall into this category. Their menstrual cycles span 30 to 40 days, and although their periods are often less heavy than those of humans, the process of shedding the uterine lining remains similar.
Elephants, despite their status as non-primate mammals, also have a menstrual cycle. In female elephants, this cycle extends over a period of 14 to 16 weeks, showing interesting variability in the duration of menstruation across the animal kingdom.
Aside from primates, certain types of bats, including the short-nosed bat, are also able to menstruate. Although it remains rare among non-primate mammals, the similarity of the menstruation process to that of primates raises fascinating questions about the evolution and diversity of reproduction in the animal kingdom.
By exploring these different species that share this unique process with humans, we are led to reflect on the complexity and diversity of nature. Menstruation, far from being exclusive to women, is a widespread phenomenon in the animal world, demonstrating once again the countless wonders and adaptations that we can find in the nature around us.