[–] Ayy_EllPao 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
It happens all of the time, even in primates.
[–] umpaloompa 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
You may have a point that animals do eat their welps. But do you believe it's a mental disease in animals to then?
[–] Ayy_EllPao 1 point 1 point 2 points (+2|-1) ago
If it's not universal, and it's not a reproductive or survival advantage, then probably.
[–] edgelord 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
They actually do. I remember someone explaining to me that when a bitch is stressed out enough to the point that she believes that predators will attack her, she will eat her trouble pups to keep a low-profile. I don't know if that's actually true, but it's an interesting theory nonetheless.
[–] umpaloompa ago
I did some digging and saw another theory which suggested that mothers have the instinct to eat their cubs if they are not fit for survival.
[–] edgelord ago
That could be it. I may have misremembered it.