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Animal infanticide is studied in zoology, specifically in the field of ethology. Ovicide is the analogous destruction of eggs. The practice has been observed in many species throughout the animal kingdom, especially primates (primate infanticide) but including microscopic rotifers, insects, fish, amphibians, birds and mammals. [3]
Some rodent species (most typically males) will take the chance to kill neonates that are unrelated to them should opportunity permit. There is thought to be several benefits by doing so, which not only include nutrition benefits (particularly where food is in short supply [8]) but also non-direct benefits, such as allowing access to more resources, improving reproductive opportunities and the ...
Infanticide in non-human primates occurs as a result of exploitation when the individuals performing the infanticide directly benefit from consumption or use of their victim. [1] The individual can become a resource: food ( cannibalism ); a protective buffer against aggression, or a prop to obtain maternal experience.
Within five months of a tigress giving birth, she may become receptive again if her first litter is lost, and for this reason wandering males may commit infanticide. [5] In fear of infanticide, female jaguars will not tolerate the presence of any male, even the father of the litter, once she gives birth to her cubs.
A boa constrictor in the U.K. gave birth to 14 babies — without a mate. The process is called parthenogenesis, from the Greek words for “virgin” and “birth.” It tends to occur in ...
Alpha female dwarf mongooses and African wild dogs kill offspring other than their own, but alpha males do not. [23] This may be because the breeding alpha may have sired a rare subordinate's offspring. Subordinate females time their pregnancies such that they give birth several days after the alpha female, to reduce the risk of infanticide.
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Some animals starve to death shortly after birthing their young while others are eaten by their own young -- but these mothers make the ultimate sacrifice. Click through for 10 animal mothers that ...