Cannibalism in the Animal Kingdom

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Cannibalism in the Animal Kingdom

Until recently, scientists thought cannibalism was a rare response to starvation or other extreme stress. Well-known cannibals like the praying mantis and black widow were considered bizarre exceptions. But now, we know they more or less represent the rule. Bill Schutt shows how cannibalism can promote the survival of a species by reducing competition, culling the weak, and bolstering the strong.

Credits:

educator: Bill Schutt

art director: Petya Zlateva

animators: Petya Zlateva, Nataliya Atanasova

narrator: Addison Anderson

sound design, original music: BigBanda Soundscapers

producers: Gerta Xhelo (TED-Ed), Vessela Dantcheva (Compote Collective)