ENDANGERED MALE QUOLLS ARE CHOOSING SEX OVER SLEEP-AND IT MAY BE KILLING THEM

The finding could explain why males usually only survive for one mating season, while females can live through several

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The habit of male northern quolls to forgo sleep and food in favour of recklessly pursuing every possible mating opportunity may be killing them, researchers from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, have found.

Northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) are carnivorous cat-sized marsupials that live across northern Australia. While the females can live and reproduce for up to four years, the males rarely make it beyond a single mating season. The reason for this has long puzzled researchers.