The clitoris of the female whale is about 8 cm. long. Its apex is said to be “triloped” and is directed backwards. The whale clitoris, in common with the other sex organs of the largest cetaceans, are the biggest of any animal. Many other species have organs large for their body size, and in a number of species there is a long clitoris. We have already noted the large clitoris in the hyaena and the spider monkey. It is also surprisingly long in the mole (in the non-breeding season it is as long as the penis). In cats and civets the clitoris is a complicated structure reinforced with bone, and the organ is particularly prominent. Considering the absence of any functional role for the clitoris in most species it is a surprisingly impressive device in many species.

In common with the genital features of a wide range of species the clitoris is sometimes paired in a female animal. Or, put another way, the clitoris appears in two halves. Sometimes only part of the clitoris is paired, i.e. it branches towards the upper end. In marsupials the glans clitoridis frequently appears as a paired organ. In some reptiles a similar phenomenon can be observed in the penis but female reptiles possess no clitoris whatsoever-this does not seem to detract from enjoyment of coitus!