Like many people, been curious about mermaid intercourse since watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Now that I’m writing my first mermaid romance, I had to figure it out with science.
I don’t like paranormal romance books where you can’t understand the physics of love-making, and mermaid sex is a biological challenge.
It’s not like with minotaurs or centaurs, or other shifters, where you assume they have working genitalia between their legs somewhere. Mermen and women are shown with a fish tail up to their waist, leaving little room for spare parts.
The obvious solution is to have them breed with eggs: the female lays them, the man does his thing after. But that’s not very sexy or passionate. So how do merpeople hook up when they like each other?
The Shellfish Solution
To solve this problem, I just made my merpeople crustaceans. They have an exoskeleton over their lower body, which they molt.
He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. There was another question I was dying to ask, but I was a little afraid of the answer.
I finally worked up the courage and blurted out, “How do you… mate?”
I blushed.
His grin widened, he was enjoying himself.
“We come on land and remove our exoskeletons. Under our shells our organs are… nearly identical to humans. I’m sure you’ve heard the birds and the bees speech. If we want children, the females will stay in caves near shore until the eggs are ready, then go into the ocean and give birth. Young merrow are defenseless for the first few years, and need to be guarded and watched by the mother and father. After a few months, they’ll grow their first exo, but then they’ll need a new one every year for about twenty years. After that, they will stay virtually unchanged for decades.”
That solves the mating issue, and also gives them some uniquely awesome powers and abilities.
“In the ocean, with our exos on, we’re nearly invincible,” he smiled. “Hardly anything can puncture our shell, even our fists are protected by almost a centimeter of cartilage. We use them to break shells of other crustaceans, or fight off large ocean predators. Have you ever heard of the Mantis shrimp?”
I shook my head.
“We keep them as pets, they’re beautiful. Its punch is as strong as a gunshot; it’s so powerful and fast it boils the water around it. And their skin is so resilient, the military has been studying their cell structure to make advanced body armor.”
“So what you’re saying, basically, is that you’re a giant shrimp?” I couldn’t help teasing him. He smiled back at me.
“A very charming, handsome shrimp,” he replied.
Fun, right?
How Mermaids Might Have Sex: A Hypothetical Exploration
Alright, mermaid enthusiasts, let’s dive into the more curious side of mermaid mythology—how might these enchanting creatures reproduce? While this is purely speculative and blends a bit of biology with fantasy, it’s fun to imagine how these mystical beings might engage in intimate relationships.
Anatomy Considerations
First, let’s consider the anatomy. Traditional mermaid lore depicts these beings with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish. This unique combination would suggest that mermaids might have reproductive systems adapted to their underwater lifestyle.
Hypothetical Scenarios
1. External Fertilization
In many fish species, reproduction occurs through external fertilization. Female fish release eggs into the water, which are then fertilized by male fish. Applying this to mermaids, it’s possible that they might engage in a similar process. The female mermaid could release eggs into the water, and the male mermaid could release sperm to fertilize them. This method would align with their aquatic nature.
2. Internal Fertilization
Alternatively, if we consider the human aspects of mermaids, they might engage in internal fertilization similar to mammals. This scenario would involve more traditional copulation, with mermaids possessing reproductive organs adapted for underwater coupling. Given their hybrid nature, these organs might be located where their human and fish anatomies intersect.
3. Hybrid Approach
Another possibility is a hybrid approach that combines elements of both human and fish reproduction. Mermaids might engage in a courtship ritual, using songs or dances to attract mates. Once a pair bonds, they could find a secluded underwater grotto where the female lays eggs, which the male then fertilizes. This combines the romantic elements often associated with mermaids and the practical aspects of aquatic reproduction.
Courtship and Romance
In mermaid lore, romance often plays a significant role. Courtship rituals might involve intricate dances, mesmerizing songs, or the exchange of beautiful shells and treasures from the sea. These rituals would not only serve as a way to attract mates but also to form strong bonds that are crucial for raising their young in the often perilous underwater world.
Raising the Young
Once the eggs are fertilized, mermaid parents might guard them until they hatch. Given their human intelligence, mermaids could exhibit complex parenting behaviors, teaching their young to swim, hunt, and sing their enchanting songs. The young mermaids, or merlings, would learn the ways of the sea from their parents, blending survival skills with the mystical traditions of their kind.
While we may never know for sure how mermaids might reproduce, imagining these possibilities adds another layer of fascination to their mythos. Whether through mystical courtship or practical underwater adaptation, the allure of mermaids continues to capture our imaginations. So, next time you’re near the sea, let your mind wander and dream about the secrets these enchanting creatures might hold. 🧜♀️🧜♂️💙
Would you sleep with a mermaid?
If you did, what would you be worried about?
PS) If you want to read my novel, Shearwater, you can get it on Amazon.
Mermaid Romance Wallpaper Art
More mermaid stuff
Here’s the first few chapters of my mermaid audiobook, hope you like it!
WORK IN PROGRESS...
