CANNIBALISM


Meaning of CANNIBALISM in English

n.

In zoology, the eating of any animal by another member of the same species.

Certain ants regularly consume injured immatures and, when food is scarce, eat healthy immatures; this practice allows the adults to survive the food shortage and live to breed again. Male lions taking over a pride may kill and eat the existing young. After losing her cubs the mother will become impregnated by the new dominant male, thereby ensuring his genetic contribution. Aquarium guppies sometimes regulate their population size by eating most of their young.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.