A lizard with a double penis? So what?
First they find a "Yeti", and then scientists discover a new species of lizard with a double penis. What a week it's been for science.
I've already given my opinion on the "Yeti" (I've heard from people based near the area that it's more likely to be a bald masked palm civet). What about this double-organed reptile? Has there been some radiation-induced mutation to create those astonishing paired genitalia?
Well it seems that the giant lizard really is a new species, and that is exciting and unusual. But I'm afraid the double-penis is no surprise. Most readers are unlikely to know this, but nearly all reptiles (apart from turtles and crocodiles) have a double-penis: it's called a hemipenes, and it's completely normal.
Reptiles don't use both of their penes (plural of penis) at one time: they use one first, then they use the other on the next occasion. This sequential technique allows more rapid recovery and so more frequent copulation. For those who want to know more, this website includes some rather graphic photos of the erect double penis in a range of reptiles.
By the way, before you ask, yes, female reptiles do have a double-vagina (they both open into the single orifice of the cloaca, which is why only one penis is needed at a time). And I know someone is going to ask another question, so I'll answer it in advance: some female reptiles do possess a double-clitoris.
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