---
title: "Is cannibalism common in animals?"  
description: "A concise explanation about whether cannibalism is common in animals."  
author: "Anjita D."  
published: 2023-12-20  
canonical: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3545/is-cannibalism-common-in-animals  
category: "animals"  
tags: ["cannibalism", "common", "animals", "facts", "general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Is cannibalism common in animals?

![Is cannibalism common in animals](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/a2d39806-94d5-48bd-a3a6-0eec9a3a70b6/images/b2ee1984-94a4-4c1f-bf72-36a5a1972a4d.jpeg) ![Is cannibalism common in animals](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/a2d39806-94d5-48bd-a3a6-0eec9a3a70b6/images/50b1ecf3-9ac2-405f-a669-2188b86eee9f.jpeg) Yes! Cannibalism is common in animals. ![Is cannibalism common in animals](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/a2d39806-94d5-48bd-a3a6-0eec9a3a70b6/images/3b58cae9-05b0-4068-8bdf-29232b7d5b7a.jpeg) This phenomena has been documented in over 1,500 species, ranging from microscopic insects to big predators, which may appear surprising to humans. ![Is cannibalism common in animals](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/a2d39806-94d5-48bd-a3a6-0eec9a3a70b6/images/674de604-695d-4a8b-888e-fe3d32e44001.jpeg) Predatory cannibalism is the intentional slaughter and hunting of one's own species for sustenance, as seen in predators like spiders & praying mantis ![Is cannibalism common in animals](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/a2d39806-94d5-48bd-a3a6-0eec9a3a70b6/images/e3580259-5793-4b37-8c94-d5872c052933.jpeg) When food is scarce, animals will consume weaker or deceased members of their own species for food, a practice known as nutritional cannibalism. ![Is cannibalism common in animals](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/stories/a2d39806-94d5-48bd-a3a6-0eec9a3a70b6/images/f2c65372-cfc2-45a9-a129-64f4c3a0b7db.jpeg) Parents consume their offspring due to disease, illness, or overpopulation, which is observed in various species like fish, amphibians, and birds.

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Original Source: https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/3545/is-cannibalism-common-in-animals

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