Squid sex coma
Dumpling squid, described as "promiscuous" for their indiscriminate behavior and 3-hour sex sessions, need 30 minutes to return to normal swimming speed after mating. The research, published this month (July 18) in Biology Letters, suggests that despite mating with as many partners as possible, mating is costly to the dumpling squid as they have less energy available for escaping and hiding from predators.
The dumpling squid, named for its plump shape, is found along the southern coast of Australia, and lives only 1 year, spending the last few months mating. Males use a lot of energy during sex—physically restraining the female, changing color, squirting ink, and shooting jets of water into the female's body. The display also wears out the females, and researchers think this is in part due to the way they are restrained, restricting their access to oxygen.
"We decided to study these charismatic squid ...
