In the animal kingdom, a surprising behavior exists that may shock many people.
Some animals actually eat their own young. This act, known as filial cannibalism, occurs across various species for different reasons.
Many animals eat their offspring to gain nutrients, control population sizes, or respond to environmental pressures.
From fish to mammals, this behavior appears in diverse groups.
Hamsters, cats, and even polar bears have been seen eating their young.
In some cases, it’s a survival strategy. When food is scarce, parents may eat some babies to ensure the survival of others.
Other times, it’s about competition or removing weak offspring.
This topic raises many questions about animal behavior and evolution.
Why would nature allow parents to eat their own young? How does this impact species survival? As we explore examples of animals that engage in this practice, we’ll uncover the complex factors behind this seemingly cruel act.
Cannibalistic Insects
Insects display some of the most common examples of eating their young in the animal kingdom.
This behavior occurs for various reasons, including survival and population control.
Ants are known to practice cannibalism in times of food scarcity. Worker ants may eat eggs or larvae to ensure the colony’s survival during harsh conditions.
Praying mantises are famous for their cannibalistic tendencies. Female mantises often eat their mates after mating. They may also consume their own offspring if food is scarce.
Wasps exhibit similar behavior. Some species of wasps will eat their own larvae if there’s not enough food to go around.
This helps ensure the survival of the remaining offspring.
While not insects, spiders and scorpions are closely related arthropods that also practice cannibalism.
Some spider mothers allow their young to eat them, a process called matriphagy.
Scorpion mothers may eat their babies if resources are limited.
This behavior helps control population size and ensures the survival of the strongest offspring.
In many cases, insect cannibalism serves as a way to recycle nutrients within a population.
It can also be a means of population control in resource-limited environments.
Rodents
Some rodents eat their young in certain situations. This behavior, while surprising, happens for various reasons.
Rats sometimes eat their babies. This can occur if the mother is stressed or if food is scarce. Male rats may also kill and eat young that are not their own.
Hamsters are known to eat their pups too. This often happens with first-time mothers who may be inexperienced or scared.
Rabbits rarely eat their young, but it can happen. It’s more common in domestic rabbits than wild ones.
Prairie dogs, especially black-tailed ones, may practice infanticide. Up to a third of offspring might be killed in some communities.
Mice can also show this behavior. Like rats, they might eat their young if stressed or lacking food.
Reasons for rodents eating their young include:
- Lack of food
- Stress
- Inexperience (in young mothers)
- Population control
- Removing weak or sick offspring
It’s important to note that not all rodents of these species will eat their young. Many factors influence this behavior.
Fish
Some fish species eat their own young. This behavior is called filial cannibalism.
It’s seen in different types of fish, from small reef dwellers to larger ocean predators.
Blenny fish are known for this behavior. Male blennies often eat their offspring due to impatience.
They guard the eggs, but sometimes get hungry and snack on them.
Cichlid fish also practice filial cannibalism. In some cichlid species, both parents may eat their young. This happens more often when food is scarce.
The sand tiger shark shows an extreme form of this behavior. It’s called intrauterine cannibalism.
The strongest embryo in the womb eats its siblings before birth.
Scientists think there are reasons why fish eat their young:
- To get energy when food is scarce
- To remove weak or diseased offspring
- To make room for healthier eggs
Female fish that eat their young may reduce cell damage in their bodies.
This could help them live longer and have more babies in the future.
Amphibians
Some amphibians eat their young. This behavior is seen in frogs and toads. It might seem strange, but it happens for different reasons.
Frogs and toads may eat their eggs or tadpoles if the environment is unsafe. They might also do this if they think something is wrong with their offspring.
In some cases, parent amphibians eat their young to get energy. This helps them survive when food is scarce.
It’s a tough choice, but it can help the parents live to have more babies later.
Some frogs lay extra eggs as food for their other tadpoles. This gives the surviving young a better chance to grow strong and healthy.
Not all amphibians eat their young. Many species take good care of their eggs and tadpoles. Some even carry their babies on their backs to keep them safe.
Scientists are still learning about amphibian behavior. They recently found a snakelike amphibian that feeds ‘milk’ to its young.
This shows that there’s still a lot to discover about how these animals care for their babies.
Reptiles
Some reptiles eat their own young. This behavior can seem strange, but it happens for different reasons.
Alligators sometimes eat their babies if there are too many in the nest or not enough food. This helps the stronger babies survive.
Snakes are another group of reptiles known to eat their young. Rattlesnakes are one example. They may do this when food is scarce.
Not all reptiles eat their babies. Many take good care of their young. But for some, it’s a way to deal with tough times.
Reasons reptiles might eat their young:
- Not enough food
- Too many babies
- Weak or sick offspring
Scientists are still learning about this behavior. They want to understand why it happens and how it affects reptile populations.
It’s important to remember that this is part of nature. Reptiles don’t think about it the same way humans do. They’re just trying to survive.
Birds
Some birds eat their own young, though it’s not common. This behavior can happen for different reasons.
Chickens sometimes peck at or eat their eggs and chicks. Female chickens may eat their eggs if they lack calcium or other nutrients. Stressed hens might also attack chicks.
House sparrows can be aggressive to other birds‘ young. They may kill baby birds in nearby nests.
This isn’t the same as eating their own chicks, but it shows how some birds can harm young ones.
Most birds don’t normally eat their babies. They care for their chicks and protect them.
Wild animals usually bond with their young and don’t give them up easily.
When birds do harm their young, it’s often due to:
- Lack of food
- Stress
- Health issues
- Protecting other chicks
These cases are rare. Most birds work hard to raise their chicks and keep them safe.
Mammals
Some mammals eat their young. This behavior, while disturbing, happens for different reasons.
Lions sometimes eat their cubs. Male lions may do this to make females ready to mate again. Females might eat weak or sick cubs.
Polar bears can eat their cubs when food is scarce. This helps the mother survive to have more cubs later.
Tigers are another big cat that may eat their young. Like lions, male tigers might do this to cubs that aren’t theirs.
Sloth bears rarely eat their cubs. But it can happen if the mother is very stressed or hungry.
Cats, even pet cats, might eat their kittens. This is not common but can occur if the kitten is sick or the mother is stressed.
Dogs don’t often eat their puppies. But it can happen if a puppy is stillborn or very weak.
Here’s a quick list of some mammals known to eat their young:
- Lions
- Polar bears
- Tigers
- Cats
- Hamsters
- Rats
Many of these cases are rare. Most mammal parents care for their young and don’t eat them.
Primates
Some primates eat their young. This behavior, called infanticide, happens for different reasons.
Male primates sometimes kill and eat infants in their own social group. They do this to make females ready to mate again sooner.
Chimpanzees are known to practice infanticide. Male chimps may attack and eat babies that are not their own.
Resource competition can also lead to infanticide. When food is scarce, adults may kill infants to reduce group size.
In some cases, primates eat their own babies. This can happen if the infant is weak or sick.
Stress can cause this behavior too. Captive primates in zoos might eat their young due to stress from their environment.
Not all primate species do this. Many are caring parents who protect their offspring.
Scientists study this behavior to better understand primate social structures and survival strategies.
Cats
Cats are known to sometimes eat their kittens. This behavior, while shocking to cat owners, is not common in domestic cats. It happens more often in feral cat populations.
There are a few reasons why cats might eat their young:
- Stress or anxiety
- Health issues in the mother cat
- Genetic defects in the kittens
- Lack of maternal instinct
Both male and female cats may engage in this behavior. Mother cats are more likely to eat sick or weak kittens. This helps ensure the survival of the healthier offspring.
First-time mother cats are at higher risk of eating their kittens.
They may not recognize the kittens as their own or may feel overwhelmed by motherhood.
Cat owners can help prevent this behavior by:
- Providing a quiet, safe space for the mother and kittens
- Ensuring proper nutrition for the mother cat
- Avoiding handling the kittens too much in the first few weeks
If a cat owner notices signs of stress in a new mother cat, they should consult a veterinarian right away. Early intervention can help prevent the loss of kittens.
Hyenas
Hyenas are known for their complex social structures and interesting behaviors.
While they don’t typically eat their young, they have some unique habits related to their offspring.
Spotted hyenas are the most well-known species. They live in groups called clans, led by females. These clans can have up to 80 members.
Female hyenas give birth to 1-2 cubs at a time. The cubs are born with their eyes open and teeth already showing. This helps them compete for food right away.
Spotted hyena mothers don’t regurgitate food for their young. Instead, the cubs drink milk for up to 18 months. This is longer than most other carnivores.
Male spotted hyenas don’t help raise the cubs. But in striped hyena families, the fathers do take part in caring for their young.
Hyenas have very strong jaws and teeth. They can eat almost all parts of their prey, including bones and horns.
Their powerful digestive system helps them break down these tough materials.
In the wild, hyenas rarely attack humans. They mostly avoid people and stick to their natural prey.
Hyenas play a big role in their ecosystems by cleaning up carcasses of dead animals.
