You might be thinking ‘what on earth is the evolutionary advantage of dying during or after sex‘, but actually there are plenty of advantages for the species, and even for the specific individual, even if they don’t survive to benefit from them.
Why do animals die during or after sex?
The main reason is ensuring the animal’s genetic legacy. While it might not be alive to see the next generation, these strategies have evolved to give individuals the best chance of having its genes passed onto the next generation.
And for the species, it means that the genes of the most successful individuals get passed on.
This could be through increasing its chances of successful mating or blocking future males from pairing with the female they’ve just copulated with.
Becoming dinner is also a great strategy for ensuring the mother of your offspring, and your offspring themselves, survives and thrives.
Removing themselves from the environment also means one less individual competing for food with its offspring.
This article by Aoife Glass was first published by Discover Wildlife on 30 July 2026.
What You Can Do
Help to save wildlife by donating as little as $5 – It only takes a minute.
Leave a Reply