The black-tailed dusky Antechinus and the silver-headed antechinus are on the brink of extinction due to their suicidal mating habits.

Dusky antechinus

Dusky antechinus

Scientists from Queensland University of Technology say biologists are trying to stop the animals - only discovered in 2013 - from becoming extinct as their ''frantic'' mating can last up to 14 hours and cause them to product excess testosterone, which eventually destroys their organs and leads to their death.

Andrew Baker, mammalogist at the university, said: ''They are very frantic and try and get from one mate to another and the mating itself can last hours, so it's very tiring

''(Males go from) absolutely prime health ... to falling to pieces before your very eyes

''They're honestly like the walking dead towards the end.''

The native Australian animals have populations estimated to be fewer than 250 for males and females, with the males often dying before their first birthdays.