more-inTwo marsupial species whose males die after marathon sex sessions have been put on Australia’s endangered list, with scientists warning on Tuesday that they are racing against the clock to save them. Males go from “absolutely prime health... to falling to pieces before your very eyes” within the annual two-week mating period at the end of the Southern Hemisphere winter, Mr. Baker said. They have so much sex while also trying to hang on to female mates and fighting off rivals that they produce excessive levels of testosterone. This stops a stress hormone from switching off, which then destroys their organs and kills them off. “They’re honestly like the walking dead towards the end,” Mr. Baker said.

Source: The Hindu May 15, 2018 16:36 UTC