O cannibalism, as well as the mutualism, a predation it's the parasitism, is an ecological relationship, that is, an interaction between living organisms. This relationship occurs between individuals of the same species (intraspecific relationship) and one of them is always harmed (inharmonious relationship).
In this ecological relationship, an individual kills and feeds on another of the same species as his own. This behavior, although quite strange, is common in the animal kingdom and is not linked only to food. Below are some examples of animals that perform cannibalism.
O praying mantis is one of the most classic examples. During reproduction, the female literally eats the male's head, devouring him alive. By feeding on the male, the female ensures the nutrients necessary for its reproduction. This type of cannibalism is often called sexual cannibalism and, depending on the species, it can occur before, during or after copulation.
Cannibalism in mangona sharks still occurs inside the uterus
Another example of this ecological relationship is seen in the shark species known as mango shark. They practice an interesting type of cannibalism, called intrauterine cannibalism, in which the most developed embryo feeds on other embryos still in the mother's womb. This species is at serious risk of extinction, and this habit ends up making it difficult to increase the number of individuals.
You lions,sometimes, they also practice cannibalism. These animals are often observed feeding on the offspring of a former group leader. With this behavior, the lion ensures that all cubs of the new generation are its offspring, not a previous leader.
Curiosity: Although many think that the black widow kills her partner and feeds on him after reproduction, this fact is not quite true. The male accidentally dies after copulation, once his reproductive system breaks down and he loses the hemolymph, a substance with the blood function of these animals. Only after this tragic death does the female feed on him.
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