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A species of small, mice-like marsupials that only live in Australia called have recently been added to the list of endangered species by the government. The Antechinus species are famous for their marathon-like mating sessions, which can sometimes last up to 14 hours. This is actually the reason why they may all disappear from the face of the Earth, and soon. The black-tailed dusky and the silver-headed species are the most endangered ones because of all that sex.
Antechinus males and females run frantically from one partner to another during their mating season, which lasts for many weeks each year. They do not know the concept of courting. For them, mating is everything that matters, with as many partners as possible. While this might sound like fun for some people, the marsupial males usually die four or five days after the mating season ends, because of the effort. According to Andrew Baker, leader of a research team that has discovered five new species of Antechinus since 2012, both males and females suffer from all the mating. However, because the males produce testosterone, its high levels keep the cortisol from shutting off. It eventually reaches a toxic level. The small animal then bleeds internally and dies.
Antechinus marsupials are in danger because of too much sex
Apart from this, the Antechinus also face threats from humans, who are chopping trees off and leave them without their habitat. Moreover, global warming also affects the small marsupials, as they like a wet and cold climate.
Baker says that in order for these species to be saved, people need to make the Antechinus migrate towards the southern parts of Australia. It’s colder there, and they may have a chance. Especially because there might only be a few hundreds of the both species left right now. Another similar example is that of the garter snakes. They engage in orgies so massive and exhausting that the males age more rapidly and die sooner.
Image source: pixabay
