Antechinus Marsupials Turn to Cannibalism During Mating Season

Intense mating sessions lead to death in males, survivors found to cannibalize the dead for energy, according to new research.

The antechinus, a small Australian marsupial, has been observed engaging in cannibalism during its mating season, a behavior previously unseen in the species.
The males of the species are known for their intense mating sessions, which last up to 14 hours and result in their death due to a surge in stress hormones.
Researchers believe the cannibalistic behavior provides an energy boost for the surviving antechinus, both males and females, during the demanding breeding period.
The behavior was observed in two species, the mainland dusky antechinus and brown antechinus, which may also cannibalize each other due to their overlapping habitats and slightly offset breeding periods.
The findings, published in the journal Australian Mammalogy, provide new insights into the survival strategies of these unique marsupials.