vellavu
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Dying for sex: 'Frantic' mating driving Australian marsupials to extinction
The newly discovered antechinus species could die out - because of marathon 14-hour sex sessions, scientists in Queensland say.
Two species of marsupials whose males die after marathon sex sessions have been put on Australia's endangered list.
Scientists from Queensland University of Technology say biologists are racing against the clock to save the species from extinction.
The black-tailed dusky antechinus and the silver-headed antechinus - discovered in 2013 - are known for their suicidal mating habits.
Sex sessions lasting up to 14 hours are contributing to the challenges the species face, alongside climate change, habitat loss and feral pests.
"They are very frantic and try and get from one mate to another and the mating itself can last hours, so it's very tiring," said Andrew Baker, mammalogist at the university.
Males go from "absolutely prime health... to falling to pieces before your very eyes" within the annual frenzied fortnight of mating at the end of the winter, he said.
The newly discovered antechinus species could die out - because of marathon 14-hour sex sessions, scientists in Queensland say.
Two species of marsupials whose males die after marathon sex sessions have been put on Australia's endangered list.
Scientists from Queensland University of Technology say biologists are racing against the clock to save the species from extinction.
The black-tailed dusky antechinus and the silver-headed antechinus - discovered in 2013 - are known for their suicidal mating habits.
Sex sessions lasting up to 14 hours are contributing to the challenges the species face, alongside climate change, habitat loss and feral pests.
"They are very frantic and try and get from one mate to another and the mating itself can last hours, so it's very tiring," said Andrew Baker, mammalogist at the university.
Males go from "absolutely prime health... to falling to pieces before your very eyes" within the annual frenzied fortnight of mating at the end of the winter, he said.
