[4] In other Native American myths, animal spirits frequently assume human form.
[6] The most famous animal-as-bridegroom story that has survived in modern times is Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve.
[7] According to Bernard Sergent, "human–animal marriage is an union that is too remote as incest is a too close one.
Compared to a balanced marriage, between humans but from another clan or another village, that is to say–depending on the society–within the framework of a well measured endogamy or exogamy, incest transgresses the norm because it is an exaggerated endogamy, and animal marriage transgresses it because it is an exaggerated exogamy.
[9][10][11][12] In 2005, an American man ordained with the Universal Life Church married humans and their pets.
[17][18][19][20][21] Other incidents of human animal relations took place in 2010, when 18-year-old Balinese man Ngurah Alit was found having sexual intercourse with a cow, who he claimed flirted with him.