Welcome to the Melbourne Community Daily Discussion Thread.

  • Pilk
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    7 months ago

    Image source

    Male antechinus (shrew-like marsupials) fuck themselves to death during a short, highly frenzied mating season. A rapid, fatal decline in health is triggered by high levels of stress hormones, immune system suppression, and just plain physical exhaustion.

    • the_procrastinata
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      7 months ago

      My friend studied antichinus for her Honours thesis, so for her hens party we played pin the tail on the antichinus.

    • Llabyrinthine
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      7 months ago

      I… I wasn’t expecting that tidbit of information this morning.

      • Pilk
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        7 months ago

        Indeed! They are semelparous like salmon, mayflies, orb-weaving spiders and bamboo (among others).

        Though they ain’t rodents, but I think they would also be offended being described as shrews.