Species That Feed On Themselves

11June,2024

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Starfish can digest parts of their own bodies, especially when food is scarce. They can resorb nutrients from their own tissues to survive.

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Starfish

Female spiders of some species, like the black widow, may consume parts of their own webs or even their own legs when food is scarce.

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Spider

These amoeboid organisms can consume their own cells as a part of their lifecycle, especially under nutrient-limited conditions.

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Slime Molds

Some caterpillars may consume parts of their own bodies during metamorphosis if they don't have enough food to complete the process.

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Caterpillars

Under extreme conditions, some scorpions have been observed to consume their own appendages to survive.

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Scorpions

Certain species of salamanders can reabsorb their own tails when stressed or starved, using the stored nutrients for survival.

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Salamanders

In captivity, snakes may resort to self-cannibalism if food is scarce or if they are stressed due to confinement.

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Snakes

Crickets kept in crowded conditions or deprived of food may engage in self-cannibalism.

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Crickets

Under extreme stress or in laboratory settings, rats and mice may display self-cannibalistic behaviors.

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Rats and Mice