02-07-2025
This snake eats its mate after having sex; 7 other animals that do the same
Nature can be both beautiful and brutal. In some corners of the animal kingdom, love and death go hand in hand—quite literally.
There are several species where one partner, usually the female, ends up eating the other after or even during mating. This behaviour, known as sexual cannibalism, might sound shocking, but it serves surprising purposes—from nutrition to ensuring successful reproduction.
Let's look at some of the animals that practise this deadly ritual.
Sexual cannibalism is well-documented among praying mantises. Females may consume males during or after mating, a behaviour observed both in captivity and in the wild. Studies suggest that this act can increase a female's reproductive success by providing additional nutrients.
Female redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) frequently engage in sexual cannibalism. Males often somersault into the female's mouthparts during mating, facilitating their own consumption. This self-sacrificial behavior increases the duration of copulation and the likelihood of successful fertilization.
While the term 'black widow' suggests habitual mate consumption, this behaviour varies among species. In North American species like Latrodectus hesperus, sexual cannibalism is rare in natural settings and more commonly observed in laboratory conditions. Thus, while it can occur, it's not a consistent behaviour across all black widow species.
Male blue-lined octopuses (Hapalochlaena fasciata) have developed a unique strategy to avoid being eaten by larger, potentially cannibalistic females. They inject a potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, into the female during mating, temporarily paralysing her and preventing cannibalism.
In this species, males risk being consumed by females during mating. To mitigate this, males wrap the female's legs with silk to immobilize her, reducing the chance of cannibalism. This behavior is a documented self-defense mechanism during copulation.
Sexual cannibalism in crab spiders is moderately common. Older males are more susceptible to being attacked and consumed by females, especially later in the mating season when female aggression increases.
Wikipedia
Recent observations have documented instances where female green and golden bell frogs (Litoria aurea) attempt to consume male suitors after mating. This behaviour, captured on video, suggests that sexual cannibalism may occur in this species, although it appears to be rare.
Female green anacondas (Eunectes murinus) have been observed consuming males after mating. This behaviour is believed to provide the female with additional nutrients necessary for gestation, although detailed studies are limited.
