It is difficult for scientists to measure "pleasure" as experienced by different species of animals, but there is evidence that many animals have "nonprocreative" sex, or sex that is not intended to just reproduce offspring. The general consensus HAD been that animals are driven only by instinct, but animal scientists have since noted the significant presence of homosexual and other nonprocreative sexual activities in the animal kingdom, particularly among primates.

The most sexually diverse primate is the bonobo (pygmy chimp), which often engages in oral sex, masturbation, male-on-male and female-on-female acts. Bonobos are the only primates who have sex missionary style (face to face), which suggests some kind of emotional connection between partners. Dolphins, too, participate in masturbation, beak-to-genital sex and flipper-to-genital sex. This seems to suggest that there is great pleasure in these acts, which are done not just by instinct or for the sake of reproduction.

According to a book "With pleasure: thoughts on human sexuality" by Paul R. Abramson and Steven D. Pinkerton, there is evidence of nonprocreative sex in nearly ALL placental animals, which are mammals nourished before birth in the mother's uterus through the placenta. There are over 4000 placental species, including bats, rodents, elephants, dolphins, dogs, cats, farm animals, etc.