6 animals known to kill their partners and why

In the wild, mating isn’t always a peaceful affair. For some animals, especially males, it can be deadly. In certain species, the female may kill and even eat her mate during or after mating.
This behaviour is known as sexual cannibalism. It usually happens because the female needs extra energy or nutrients to help with pregnancy or laying eggs. As brutal as it sounds, it’s often a part of how these animals survive and reproduce.
Here are six animals where mating can sometimes turn deadly.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is compiled from various online sources and is intended for general awareness. It highlights unusual animal behaviours observed in nature. The Times of India does not independently verify these claims and does not endorse or confirm the accuracy of individual cases mentioned.

Images: Canva (for representative purposes only)

Not all mantises eat their mates, but in some species, it happens often. The female is usually bigger and stronger, making it easier to overpower the male. She attracts him with pheromones, and sometimes attacks during mating. Even if the male is killed, he can still finish the process because his body keeps moving. Afterward, the female lays about 100 eggs, and eating the male gives her the energy she needs. Some mantises can also reproduce without mating, through a process called parthenogenesis.

Black widow spiders are also known for sexual cannibalism, though it doesn’t happen often in the wild. The male is much smaller and approaches the female carefully. He cuts parts of her web and adds his own scent to reduce her signals. During mating, he has to get close to her fangs, which is risky. While this behaviour is known, mate-eating happens more in captivity than in nature.

Jumping spider males try to impress females with a dance. They jump, wave their legs, and create vibrations that work like a song. These sounds are so clear that even humans can hear them. If the female likes the performance, she allows him to mate. If not, she might eat him, as she only mates once and picks carefully.

In green anacondas, one female may mate with many males at once in a breeding ball. Over 10 males can gather and compete to mate with her, sometimes for weeks. After mating, the female may eat some of them to get extra energy for her long pregnancy.

Scorpions don’t lay eggs– they give birth to live young, sometimes up to 100 at once. This takes a lot of energy. If the male sticks around after mating, the female might eat him for strength. In tough times, she may even eat her own babies to survive.

Octopuses are known to be intelligent, but some species are also known to eat their mates. The male uses a modified arm called a hectocotylus to transfer sperm to the female. After this, he’s often eaten.


In many species, male octopuses die soon after mating anyway. The female guards her eggs and usually dies once they hatch. Among some species, even the hatchlings may eat each other– cannibalism doesn’t stop with just the parents.