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Homescience

10 Fascinating Animals That Eat Their Mates After Mating

Some animals push love to a fatal extent. From spiders to sharks, here are 10 animals that devour their mates after—or even in the midst of—mating.

Sheetal Kumari | May 19, 2025 / 15:42 IST
1/10
Praying Mantis: Female mantises tend to bite off the head of their mate during mating. It provides her with nutrients and might also enhance his reproductive chances. (Image: Canva)
Praying Mantis: Female mantises tend to bite off the head of their mate during mating. It provides her with nutrients and might also enhance his reproductive chances. (Image: Canva)
2/10
Black Widow Spider: Name given, the black widow will occasionally kill and devour the male after copulation. He's merely a swift snack for the dominant female. (Image: Canva)
Black Widow Spider: Name given, the black widow will occasionally kill and devour the male after copulation. He's merely a swift snack for the dominant female. (Image: Canva)
3/10
Australian Redback Spider: Males flip into the jaws of the female when mating. It's a willing sacrifice, perhaps enhancing his prospects for fertilizing more eggs. (Image: Canva)
Australian Redback Spider: Males flip into the jaws of the female when mating. It's a willing sacrifice, perhaps enhancing his prospects for fertilising more eggs. (Image: Canva)
4/10
Fishing Spider: Male fishing spiders can be eaten after mating. But the female will lay additional eggs, so the sacrifice is worth it biologically in some sense. (Image: Canva)
Fishing Spider: Male fishing spiders can be eaten after mating. But the female will lay additional eggs, so the sacrifice is worth it biologically in some sense. (Image: Canva)
5/10
Jumping Spider: Female jumping spiders pounce on the males during mating in some species. Males attempt to flee—but many do not survive. (Image: Canva)
Jumping Spider: Female jumping spiders pounce on the males during mating in some species. Males attempt to flee—but many do not survive. (Image: Canva)
6/10
Sagebrush Cricket: During mating, the female consumes the male's wings. This strange snack provides protein, which allows her to lay more eggs. (Image: Canva)
Sagebrush Cricket: During mating, the female consumes the male's wings. This strange snack provides protein, which allows her to lay more eggs. (Image: Canva)
7/10
Scorpion: Although rare, some female scorpions eat their mates following copulation—particularly when there is a suitable food shortage. (Image: Canva)
Scorpion: Although rare, some female scorpions eat their mates following copulation—particularly when there is a suitable food shortage. (Image: Canva)
8/10
Orb-Weaver Spider: Males are tiny and frequently won't make it through copulation. If they stick around too long, they become lunch. (Image: Canva)
Orb-Weaver Spider: Males are tiny and frequently won't make it through copulation. If they stick around too long, they become lunch. (Image: Canva)
9/10
Flatworms: In certain species, both individuals breed while attempting to stab each other with a mating needle. The loser gets the choice of being eaten or left behind. (Image: Canva)
Flatworms: In certain species, both individuals breed while attempting to stab each other with a mating needle. The loser gets the choice of being eaten or left behind. (Image: Canva)
10/10
Sand Tiger Shark: Though not cannibalism of a mate, siblings are consumed by embryos while in the womb. It's ruthless from the beginning with sand tiger shark reproduction. (Image: Canva)
Sand Tiger Shark: Though not cannibalism of a mate, siblings are consumed by embryos while in the womb. It's ruthless from the beginning with sand tiger shark reproduction. (Image: Canva)

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