Organism possessing both male and female means of reproduction.

Hermaphrodites, that is, are organisms possessing both male and female functions.

Hermaphroditism is not a monolithic trait. Particularly, in addition to a single animal (or plant!) simultaneously possessing both male and female reproductive parts, there also are a number of instances instead of in which an organism begins like as one but at an older age switches to an opposite gender.

Hermaphroditism is found among both invertebrates and vertebrates. Sponges, , gastropods, and even some fish, for example, can be display . Note though that typically is avoided.

The larger 'lesson' here is that genders are not nearly as fixed in the natural worlds as the typical human experience might suggest. See also .