Please don't eat me mom.

I overheard someone refer to advising as “the business that eats its own offspring.” This got me thinking, what species really do eat their babies and why?

After a little poking around online I discovered that many birds, insects and fish will gulp down their young. Rumor has it that sometimes polar bears and hamsters will scarf down a wee one too.

But why?

According to Hope Klug’s article, “Why Some Animals Eat Their Offspring”, parents will eat their weak babies that are taking too long to grow. This conserves parental energy and allows parents to focus on raising their stronger offspring instead.

No wonder we feel we have to grow up fast, we're hardwired to fear our parents eating us.