Big testicles, fellas? She'll cheat on you. Tiny balls? She won’t, say scientists
INFIDELITY: Bonobos, who mate in large groups, have particularly large testicles [GETTY]
According to scientists at the University of Oslo, big balls are more likely to mean a fella has an unfaithful partner.
Assistant Professor Petter Bøckman pointed to the example of gorillas, who have "tiny" testicles.
There is only one male in troops of gorillas, unlike fellow apes bonobos, who mate in large groups.
As such, bonobos have particularly large testicles with the aim of increasing their sperm count, giving them a greater chance of becoming dads.
FAITHFUL: Male gorillas have tiny testicles [GETTY]
“We can determine the degree of fidelity in the female by looking at the size of the male’s testicles," said Prof. Bøckman, reports
Phys.org.
"The less faithful the female, the larger the male’s testicles.
"If the male will only fertilise one female and has no competitors, he only needs sufficient sperm to reach the egg.
"If the female mates on the side, it is smart to have as many cars as possible in the race.
"Then, the male must have testicles that are as large as possible.
"Bonobos in particular have huge testicles. They mate with everybody.
"There is an abundant flow of semen. Those who leave the greatest amount of sperm have the largest chance of fathering offspring.
"In gorilla troops there is only one male. Even though the gorilla has a small harem, he has no need for large testicles – his balls are tiny."
Prof. Bøckman also suggested the size of human testicles (one and a half times larger than those of gorillas) proves infidelity amongst our species.
He added: "We can pledge our fidelity until we are blue in the face, but this is evidence that our females are cheating.
"We are not like chimpanzees, where the female has four or five sexual partners every time she is in heat, but there is always a certain likelihood that the neighbouring male has dropped by."
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