It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into necrophilia. (Discuss)

Davian behavior is a scientific term of art referring to copulation with a dead conspecific. It was first observed in ground squirrels and was named after an old limerick^[1]

“

There was an old miner named Dave who kept a dead whore in his cave You have to admit He hadn't much wit But look at the money he saved!

”

Davian behavior has since been observed and published in birds^[2] and anurans. This behavior termed as necrophilia also occurs in humans and the fact that there are laws against it, assumes that it must be controlled. Such laws are typically titled "abuse of a corpse." ^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ Dickerman, Robert W. (1960). ""Davian Behavior Complex" in Ground Squirrels". Journal of Mammalogy 41 (3): 403–404. doi:10.2307/1377510. 
2. ^ Lehner, Philip N. (1988). "Avian Davian Behavior". The Wilson Bulletin 100 (2): 293–294. http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Wilson/v100n02/p0293-p0294.pdf. 
3. ^ Meshaka, Walter E., Jr (1997). "Anuran Davian behavior: a Darwinian dilemma". Florida Scientist 59 (2): 74–75. 

This sexuality-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e