Animal sexual diversity is vast, creative, and challenges binary ideas about sex and gender.

Climate change is altering animal mating patterns, like rising albatross "divorce" rates.

Studying animal sex reveals agency, choice, and complex behaviors beyond reproduction.

Nature defies simple biological categories.

When I taught introductory and advanced courses on animal behavior, many students woke up when I talked about the sex lives of a wide variety of animals.

While there were a good number of books that covered topics that are central to understanding the sex lives of nonhumans in some detail, there weren't any that did what artist and environmentalist Perrin Roosevelt Ireland does in her stunning fact-and story-filled beautifully illustrated new book Poking the Squid: What We Can Learn from Animal Sex. As I read this "wild biodiversity ride through queerness, infidelity, consent, divorce, sex change, and even sexual cannibalism in the animal world", I found myself continually saying, "Wow, amazing―I didn't know that!" I was thrilled when Perrin agreed to do an interview and here's what she had to say about "the wildly creative kinkiness of animal sexual behavior".

Marc Bekoff: Why did you write Poking the Squid?

Perrin Roosevelt Ireland: I believe, during a sixth mass extinction event, that we must take pleasure in the wonder of animals. Can you believe we live at the same time as two-toed sloths and chain-mail snails? But the ongoing news of a biodiversity crisis brings sad tidings. I wrote Poking the Squid to invite readers into a pleasurable experience learning about animal sex, which for me is a joy, and a laugh! My work aims to make academic journal papers and the work of many incredible scientists studying animal behavior as accessible as possible, so people feel welcome taking the plunge and becoming nature nerds like me.

MB: How does your book relate to your........

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