Cannibalism may be a major human taboo, but it's surprisingly common in the animal kingdom. At first glance, cannibalism may seem like nature gone awry in the goriest way possible. But these examples show that it can make evolutionary sense to eat one's own kind. Whether it's a way to destroy competitors, nourish one's young, or simply out of hunger, cannibalism can be a shrewd strategy for survival in the animal kingdom. Infanticide and cannibalism is seen in felines including tigers. Mortality caused by dominant males can affect life history characteristics, demography and reproductive success.