Nature can be brutal, and sometimes survival means making tough choices. While cannibalism may seem new to us, it’s common in the animal kingdom.
According to biologist Bill Schutt, author of “Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History,” the practice of consuming one’s own species is “wildly common” across the animal world.1 While most frequently observed in invertebrates and fish, cannibalism occurs in every major animal group, from insects to mammals.
Here are 12 creatures and the fascinating strategies behind their cannibalistic tendencies.
1. Black Widow Spiders
The black widow spider’s reputation precedes it. Female black widows are notorious for devouring their mates after copulation, a behavior that has captured the public imagination.
This extreme act serves a crucial purpose in the spider’s life cycle.
Consuming her mate gives the female black widow vital nutrients that support egg production. This brutal form of survival ensures that the next generation has the best possible chance of thriving.
While it may seem cruel to human observers, for black widows, it’s simply nature’s way of maximizing reproductive success.
2. Sand Tiger Sharks
Sand tiger sharks take sibling rivalry to a whole new level. These fearsome predators engage in cannibalism before they’re even born.
Inside the mother’s womb, embryos attack and eat their womb-mates as they develop.
This prenatal cannibalism ensures that only the biggest, strongest offspring survive. Females can mate with multiple males, and cannibalization might occur between embryos from different fathers.
This evolutionary strategy produces fewer but more robust pups, giving them a better chance of survival in the competitive ocean environment.
3. Chimpanzees
Our closest animal relatives have a dark side. While chimpanzees are primarily herbivorous, they occasionally indulge in meat-eating – including the flesh of their own species.
This behavior primarily involves the consumption of newborn infants.
Male chimpanzees are known to kill and eat infants they don’t believe are their offspring. This gruesome act serves multiple purposes: it eliminates potential competition, frees up breeding opportunities for new females, and provides a nutritional boost.
While disturbing to human sensibilities, this behavior is deeply rooted in chimpanzee social dynamics and reproductive strategies.
4. Polar Bears
Climate change is pushing polar bears to extremes, including increased cannibalism. As their Arctic habitat melts and traditional prey becomes scarce, these majestic creatures are more frequently turning on their own kind.
Male polar bears have been observed killing and eating cubs, as well as attacking and consuming other adults.
This behavior, once rare, is becoming more common as the bears struggle to find enough food in their rapidly changing environment.
It’s a stark reminder of the far-reaching impacts of global warming on wildlife populations.
5. Hamsters
Those cute, fluffy pets harbor a dark secret. Female hamsters sometimes eat their newborn babies, which occurs both in captivity and in the wild.
This act is typically driven by extreme nutritional deficiencies.
A mother hamster lacking essential vitamins and minerals may consume her offspring to survive and potentially care for future litters.
While disturbing, this behavior highlights the intense pressures of survival in the animal kingdom, where difficult choices must sometimes be made for the greater good of the species.
6. Hippopotamuses
Hippos, despite being primarily herbivores, have been recorded engaging in cannibalism.
While they don’t typically eat their young, adult hippos have been observed consuming the corpses of other adults—a behavior typical of these plant-eating giants.
It’s a testament to these animals’ adaptability and ability to survive in harsh conditions.
This behavior also underscores seemingly straightforward herbivores’ complex and sometimes unexpected dietary habits.
7. Lions
The King of the Jungle has a dark side regarding family dynamics. Male lions are known to kill and sometimes eat cubs sired by other males when taking over a new pride.
This brutal act serves a clear evolutionary purpose in lion society.
By eliminating cubs that aren’t his own, a new male lion ensures that the females will enter estrus more quickly. This allows him to pass on his own genes and establish his lineage within the pride.
While shocking to human observers, this behavior is a natural part of lion social structures and reproductive strategies.
8. Cane Toads
These invasive amphibians have developed a taste for their own kind, particularly in Australia, where they’ve become a destructive pest. Cane toad tadpoles have been observed cannibalizing smaller tadpoles, a behavior that’s thought to be a response to intense competition for resources.
Interestingly, this cannibalistic tendency has led to rapid evolutionary changes.
Australian cane toad tadpoles mature much faster than their native South American counterparts, reducing their risk of becoming a meal for older siblings.
It’s a fascinating example of how species can quickly adapt to new environments and pressures.
9. Chickens
These common farm birds have a dark side. Chickens may peck at and even cannibalize one another, especially in overcrowded or stressful conditions.
This behavior can spread quickly through a flock, causing significant problems for farmers.
Many poultry farmers use various management techniques, including proper spacing, environmental enrichment, and sometimes beak trimming, to prevent cannibalism.
This darker aspect of chicken behavior highlights the importance of proper animal husbandry and the complex social dynamics, even in seemingly simple farm animals.
10. Rabbits
These fluffy creatures aren’t always as innocent as they seem. Under extreme stress or harsh conditions, mother rabbits have been known to eat their young.
This grim behavior is considered a desperate attempt to cope with environmental pressures.
By consuming her offspring, a mother rabbit may be able to recoup some of the energy she invested in pregnancy and birth. This allows her to survive and potentially produce another litter when conditions improve.
While disturbing, it’s a stark reminder of many animals’ harsh realities in the wild.
11. Praying Mantises
The praying mantis’s love life is famously deadly. Female mantises often consume their mates during or after copulation.
This behavior, while gruesome, serves an important purpose in mantis reproduction.
By eating her mate, the female mantis gains valuable nutrients that help produce and develop her eggs. This ensures that her offspring have the best possible start in life.
Some male mantises have even evolved strategies to avoid being eaten, showcasing the ongoing evolutionary arms race between the sexes.
12. Burying Beetles
These insects have a unique and somewhat disturbing breeding strategy. Burying beetles bury small animal carcasses to feed their young.
However, they won’t hesitate to cannibalize their larvae if food becomes too scarce.
This behavior allows the adult beetles to recoup some of the energy they’ve invested in reproduction, potentially allowing them to survive and breed again when conditions improve.
It’s a stark example of the tough choices animals sometimes have to make to ensure the survival of their genes, even at the cost of their current offspring.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
