Article 68DD6 Dying for sex: endangered male quolls may be mating themselves to death instead of sleeping, scientists say

Dying for sex: endangered male quolls may be mating themselves to death instead of sleeping, scientists say

by
Donna Lu
from on (#68DD6)

Data suggests male northern quolls rest less than females and spend much more time on the move, leading to their death after a single breeding season

Male northern quolls seem to sacrifice sleep in favour of having sex, behaviour that might be responsible for their early deaths, suggests new research into the endangered marsupials.

Australian scientists have investigated why male northern quolls usually mate themselves to death after one season, while females of the species reproduce once but live up to four years.

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