Eels Who Are Dying To Breed

Adult eels die after breeding.

 Picture from Animal Planet

Some species of eels travel up to 4,000 miles to breed, a journey which can take up to seven months. During that time it is believed that eels do not eat. Instead, they use their body fat and muscle tissue for nutrients.

That's A Vole Lot Of Babies...

Voles are the most prolific breeders in the rodent family.

Picture from FCPS

Voles produce between three and five pups per litter and up to 17 litters in a year.  A female vole can have 80 offspring in a year! However, since the vole has a wide variety of predators, including large birds, most only survive a few months in the wild.

Emu's Role Reversal

The roles are reversed when it comes to breeding for emus.  

 Picture from Carolina Emu

Unlike most other animals, it is the female emu who must compete for a mate.  Once the male has chosen a mate, the two will breed frequently, with the female laying up to 20 eggs during the summer months.  Also opposite from the traditional gender roles, it's the male's job to incubate the eggs after they have been laid by the female, who will leave the nest to find another mate.