Nature's Dark Side: Animals Known to Kill Their Young at Birth

Sept8,2024

Male lions often kill cubs that aren’t their own to assert dominance and trigger the female lion's reproductive cycle.

Credit: Pixabay

Lions

Occasionally abandon their pups on ice floes if they sense an environmental threat or competition, leading to their death.

Credit: Pixabay

Harp Seals

Dominant males may kill infants in the troop after taking over from a rival male.

Credit: Pixabay

Langur Monkeys

Cannibalism occurs in the womb where the stronger pups consume the weaker siblings

Credit: Pixabay

Sand Tiger Sharks

In rare instances, a stressed mother may eat her cubs if food is scarce or if the cubs are weak

Credit: Pixabay

Black Bears

Females sometimes kill and remove their own chicks, especially in overcrowded nests

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House Sparrows

Some hens peck their newly hatched chicks to death, especially in stressful environments.

Credit: Pixabay

Chickens

Mothers may kill and eat their pups if they feel threatened or if resources are limited.

Credit: Pixabay

Hamsters