Top 10 Cannibal Creatures

Summary

This video explores the fascinating yet grim phenomenon of cannibalism in the animal kingdom, highlighting various species that engage in this behavior. From the red squirrel’s attempts to secure paternity to the shocking practices of black widow spiders and chimpanzees, the video showcases how cannibalism occurs for reasons like survival, power, or food scarcity. It delves into the darker side of nature, detailing examples from sand tiger sharks, hippos, and polar bears. This exploration brings attention to the extreme lengths some animals will go to ensure their dominance or survival in a harsh world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Red squirrels sometimes engage in cannibalism to ensure the paternity of a new litter, with males consuming babies that aren't theirs to mate with the female again.
• 😀 Gray seals have been observed cannibalizing smaller members of their pod, especially when food is scarce, and also engaging in infanticide to maintain power among males.
• 😀 Shrimp infected by the parasite Plora mullery become pale and zombified, often resorting to cannibalism as they become desperate for food due to the infection.
• 😀 Sand tiger sharks practice intrauterine cannibalism, where embryos eat each other in the womb, with only the strongest surviving. They may also consume other sharks when food is scarce.
• 😀 Hippos, known for their violent behavior, sometimes engage in strategic infanticide or cannibalism, particularly when food is scarce, to ensure their dominance and survival.
• 😀 Black widow spiders demonstrate sexual cannibalism, where the female often eats the male after mating, sometimes even during the act, to provide nutrients for her eggs.
• 😀 Male lions will kill and sometimes cannibalize the cubs of other males when taking over a new pride, ensuring that only their own offspring will inherit the pride.
• 😀 Polar bears are known to occasionally cannibalize other bears, particularly males, which may be driven by food scarcity, especially as climate change disrupts their food supply.
• 😀 Praying mantises exhibit sexual cannibalism, with females eating their mates after copulation, likely to gain extra protein to lay more eggs.
• 😀 Chimpanzees, one of the closest animals to humans, have been observed engaging in cannibalism, particularly in instances of power struggles, where males kill and eat newborns to assert dominance.

Q & A

What is the primary reason red squirrels engage in cannibalistic behavior?

Red squirrels engage in cannibalism primarily to ensure paternity. Male squirrels may consume babies that are not their own to increase their chances of mating with the mother and securing a new litter of their own offspring.

Why do gray seals sometimes resort to cannibalism?

Gray seals turn to cannibalism when food is scarce. A study in 2019 revealed that adult seals have been observed consuming smaller, younger members of their species, particularly when the caloric value of seal blubber becomes essential for survival.

How does the parasitic infection affect shrimp behavior?

The parasitic infection, known as *Plora mullery*, causes shrimp to become pale, lifeless, and zombie-like. These infected shrimp may then turn to cannibalism, consuming other shrimp as they become weaker due to the parasite siphoning off their nutrients.

What is 'intrauterine cannibalism' in sand tiger sharks?

Intrauterine cannibalism refers to the phenomenon where sand tiger shark embryos consume each other in the womb. This results in only two pups being born, with the strongest surviving the ordeal and emerging as the sole offspring.

How do hippos exhibit cannibalistic behavior?

Hippos display cannibalism through strategic infanticide, where males kill and sometimes consume babies that are not their own to secure mating rights. They also engage in cannibalism of carcasses when food is extremely scarce.

Why do female black widow spiders sometimes eat the males?

Female black widow spiders often eat the males after mating, a behavior known as sexual cannibalism. This act provides the female with additional protein, enhancing her fertility and ability to produce more eggs.

What motivates lions to kill and cannibalize cubs in a pride?

Lions kill and cannibalize cubs sired by rival males when a new male takes over a pride. This brutal behavior ensures that only the new male's offspring will be born, securing his genetic legacy and mating opportunities.

How does climate change affect polar bear cannibalism?

Climate change, which impacts the availability of ice flows for hunting seals, has led to increased instances of polar bear cannibalism. The shrinking habitat forces polar bears to compete more intensely for food, sometimes resulting in the killing and consumption of weaker individuals.

What is sexual cannibalism in praying mantises?

Sexual cannibalism in praying mantises occurs when the female consumes the male after mating. This behavior provides the female with extra protein, helping her produce more eggs, although it means the male does not survive the encounter.

Why do chimpanzees occasionally engage in cannibalism?

Chimpanzees engage in cannibalism to establish dominance or increase mating opportunities. Male chimps may kill and consume newborns to assert control over the group, and there have been cases of adult chimps cannibalizing their former leaders after power struggles.