Sea slugs with a disposable penis

Japanese researchers have found that a hermaphrodite sea slug cuts off its penis after use, and is ready the next day for more, a new report states.

Nudibranches are hermaphrodites, meaning that they have penises that they use to fertilize others as well as female sex organs. Researchers were unaware of how exactly their sex worked, reported Fox News.

During their experiment, researchers collected the creatures (whose scientific name is Chromodoris reticulata) from shallow coral reefs off Okinawa, Japan. They then paired the animals in tanks in the lab and observed their mating behavior, stated CBC News.

At the opposite ends of their bodies, the sea slugs have both male and female sex organs. In this particular experiment, the slugs would line themselves up sideways, facing opposite directions, so that they each can perform the male and female roles at the same time. Once mating had ended, the slugs would then separate and cut off their penises.

But have no fear, in 24 hours, the slugs had new penises and were able to take the male role once again.

One slug in particular had mated three times in three days.