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Sex That Kills
Male antechinus mate so intensively — up to 14 hours at a time — that every single male dies within weeks of the mating season.
Brown Antechinus
Antechinus stuartii
This small Australian marsupial is famous for its intense mating season that kills all the males.
Vital Stats
🏷️ TypeMarsupial (dasyurid)
🌍 Found InEastern Australia — forests and heathlands
📏 Size9-11cm body, 20-35g
⏳ LifespanMales: ~11 months | Females: up to 3 years
🔞 Sexual Maturity10 months
💕 Mating SystemSuicidal reproduction — males die after 2-3 week mating frenzy from stress and disease
📅 Mating SeasonAugust - September (synchronized 2-week window)
🤰 Gestation27 days, then 5 weeks attached to nipples
👶 Offspring6-10 per litter
🍆 Penis Size1 cm
⏱️ Sex Duration14 hours
🔬 Notable AnatomyMales mate continuously for up to 14 hours; testosterone suppresses immune system, all males die
⚖️ Sexual DimorphismMales slightly larger, but all die after mating season