9 Animals That Eat Their Babies
Mice (Mus musculus)
In captivity, mice may display infanticidal behavior, especially if they feel threatened or stressed. This behavior can include killing and consuming their own pups
Harvester Ants
Harvester ants are known to practice cannibalism, including killing and eating the pupae or larvae of their own colony under certain circumstances
Golden Eagle
Similar to black eagles, golden eagles may also engage in siblicide, with the older chick displaying aggressive behavior toward its younger sibling
Cannibalistic Fish
Some fish species, particularly in aquariums, may eat their own eggs or fry (baby fish). This behavior can be triggered by stress, lack of food, or poor environmental conditions
Red Fox
In some cases, male red foxes may kill kits (young foxes) to bring the female back into estrus and increase their chances of mating
Black Eagles
Some bird species, like the black eagle, may engage in siblicide, where the older and stronger chick kills its younger sibling to ensure more resources for itself
Spotted Hyena
Female spotted hyenas are known for their dominance in the social hierarchy. They may kill the cubs of lower-ranking females, ensuring the survival of their own offspring
Hamsters
In certain situations, hamsters, especially Syrian hamsters, may eat their own offspring due to stress, lack of resources, or the perception of a threat
Lion
New male lions taking over a pride may kill existing cubs to bring the females into estrus and increase their chances of passing on their own genes