A new species of an animal has been discovered known for having sex till the point of death. The species is antechinus that are small, mouse-like marsupial native to Australia and New Guinea.

The species is known for its sex habits of its males. As per researchers, males mate with as many females as possible for a period of two to three weeks. They sometimes have sex for 14 hours. Dr. Andrew Baker was of the view that during this act, they bleed internally, they have ulcers and their fur falls in patches.

Stress hormones in males reach to such level that their immune systems collapse. Baker said that they all die before the females give birth to a single baby.

“This yearly male suicide mission, which halves each antechinus population, means the mums have enough spiders and insects to eat while they raise the next precious generation”, affirmed Baker.

Originally, the Mainland Dusky Antechinus was discovered in 1840 and last year only, it has been formally named as its own species. The researchers have shared that the species is being threatened by climate change and loss of habitat. Also, researchers are trying to have the animals placed on Australia’s federal threatened species list.

The species limited habitat is in the state forest and it is being logged. And now, the species only lives in small, fragmented stands of forest that are under threat.