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In an interview with CNN's Piers Morgan, former Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron called homosexuality "unnatural." But nonhuman animals engaging in gay sex is well-documented, which calls into question Cameron's statement.What about the practice of shunning gays—can animals be homophobic too?

Not as far as we know. Homosexual behavior has been documented in hundreds of animal species, but the same does not hold for gay-bashing. For starters, few animals are exclusively gay. Two female Japanese macaques might have playful sex with each other on Tuesday, and then mate with males on Wednesday. Pairs of male elephants sometimes form years-long companionships that include sexual activity, while their heterosexual couplings tend to be one-night stands. For many species, gay sex doesn't make them gay, so the concept of homophobia doesn't apply.

Members of nonhuman species have been known to shun others in their social groups on account of certain specific behaviors. Unwanted advances, homosexual or otherwise, might warrant harsh treatment; it just hasn't been documented.

And there's no evidence that policing of sexual behavior exists. A male dog mounted by another male dog might reject the coupling, but there's no sign that it takes any more offense than would a female dog that's not in heat.

Researchers believe that gay sex is even rewarded in certain species. For bonobos, sexual activity is an instrument of social harmony: It reinforces bonds and keeps the peace. For instance, when a female bonobo migrates into a new group, she often ingratiates herself to the clan's other ladies by having a lot of sex with them. Far from being shunned, this homosexual behavior is apparently welcomed.