Seven Seconds in Heaven
Chimpanzee copulation lasts an average of just 7 seconds — about as long as it takes to read this sentence.
Despite being our closest living relatives, chimpanzees have a very different approach to mating: they do it fast.
The average chimpanzee copulation lasts only about 7 seconds. There's no elaborate foreplay, no cuddling afterward — just quick, efficient mating.
Why so fast? In the wild, chimpanzee sex is a risky business: - Dominant males often attack subordinate males caught mating - Predators are always a threat when you're distracted - Other chimps may try to interrupt and steal the opportunity
The quick timing is an adaptation to these pressures. By finishing fast, chimps minimize their vulnerability.
Interestingly, female chimps often mate with many different males during their fertile period. This strategy, called sperm competition, means males who can mate more frequently have an advantage — another reason for quick sessions.
The brevity of chimp sex also highlights how unusual human sexuality is among primates. Our relatively lengthy copulations and emphasis on pair bonding are evolutionary oddities, not the norm.