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Male redback spiders invite cannibalism through a ‘self-sacrificial somersault’ during sex – but why?

The Guardian World Tuesday 11 August 2026, 23:01 UTC By Donna Lu 1 min read
Key Points

New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the venomous insect’s ‘weird mating behaviour’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIf you think you’ve had a bad one-night stand, spare a thought for the male redback spider, whose sole reproductive partner eats him after sex. Male redbacks appear to invite this cannibalism through a “self-sacrificial somersault”, with new research shedding light on the genetic basis...

New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the venomous insect’s ‘weird mating behaviour’

If you think you’ve had a bad one-night stand, spare a thought for the male redback spider, whose sole reproductive partner eats him after sex.

Male redbacks appear to invite this cannibalism through a “self-sacrificial somersault”, with new research shedding light on the genetic basis of the behaviour.

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Australia (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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