Antechinus are small, mouse-like marsupials with distinctive double-lobed ears. All 15 types of Australian antechinus have an, ahem, intriguing reproductive method..
Each year, during the reproducing season, male antechinus enter a self-destructive sex frenzy. They look for out and mate with as lots of females as possible, without stopping to eat, consume, or sleep.
The lack of sleep and food, along with an overproduction of hormones– including testosterone and the tension hormone cortisol– all contribute to the males rapid decline. They go downhill quick: their immune system quits working, their fur falls out, they develop open sores on their body, and they go blind. However they keep trying to mate right up till completion..
The resulting population crash leaves more food (insects) offered for the women and, ultimately, their young. And the newborn males have one year prior to they, too, go out with a bang..
A yellow-footed antechinus. © patrickkavanagh/ Flickr
Antechinus
Antechinus sp.
