Cannibalism is also known as anthropophagy, and is a human eating another human's flesh ("Cannibalism"). The word originated from the Spanish name, Caríbales or Caníbales, for the Carib, which is a West Indies group recognized for performing cannibalism ("Cannibalism"). This common practice goes back into prehistoric human history; cannibalism has been found amidst individuals on the majority of continents ("Cannibalism"). A small amount of anthropologists believe that cannibalism transpired as a cultural reaction to long-term protein scarcity ("Cannibalism," Columbia). Cannibalism is practiced in some religions, performed in many rituals, and many animals are guilty of cannibalism. .
The majority of people are surprised to know that cannibalism is common in the society of animals (Morris). The idea of consuming flesh frequently brings disgust to our minds, and often leads everyone to think cannibalism among animals is an exceedingly unusual activity and only takes place in situations that are not normal, when animals are forced into desperate measures (Morris). For numerous species, cannibal behaviors are a continual and ordinary characteristic of existence (Morris). A heightening of stress is proven to cause a growth in cannibalism; however, in other individuals it occurs consistently, stress or no stress (Morris). Aside from all of the occurrences involving a young individual eating another young, young eating adult and adult eating young; there are a small amount of outstanding occasions of adults eating adults (Morris). Cannibalism has been documented in at least one hundred and thirty eight various types of creatures, leaving out instances where stress and overpopulation are happening (Morris). It would be inaccurate to overemphasize its significance in the population of animals (Morris). Far more outstanding, is the refusal that nearly all animals have to creating a tasty meal of a vulnerable member of their particular type (Morris).