# Why male redback spiders do a 'self-sacrificial somersault' during mating

Male redback spiders actively flip into their partner's mouth during sex, offering themselves to be eaten. Scientists are investigating the evolutionary benefits, finding that this cannibalistic sacrifice may boost male paternity or extend copulation time. The behavior provides a striking example of how extreme reproductive strategies evolve.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/12/male-redback-spiders-invite-cannibalism-through-a-self-sacrificial-somersault-during-sex-but-why) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:17:00 GMT