Loved to Death

[china_kitty]

After posting the beetle one, I was immediately reminded of another strange animal which is known as the Antechinus, which had the most excessive rating ritual.

Comments

[squid_ink]

I've seen Southern Dibbler (P. apicalis) up close and personal.. they're 'cousins' I suppose

cute little critters.

but this excessive mating? WOW. Talk about having an active libido

[moonvoice]

Antechinus are awesome. The females are often so exhausted after the aggressive mating / followed by birth / weaning, that they often die soon after the weaning process.

[lurkerlynne]

Ma Nature gets truly strange when it comes to mating; there's several insect species that spend a loong time as juveniles only to have a day as an adult and propagate the species. Or the females chow down on the males during/after mating.

And there's a number of marine species where mating is the end of the adults.

I take it as a sign to count my blessings I'm a member of a species that considers mating to be a (very) fun pastime and not the goal of life. \o/

[mwissa]

Well, if you're going to die, why not have it be from mating until your body gives out.

[amnotcute]

That's what I thought.

[vandigo]

Happiest death ever?