These animals that literally eat their own body parts: From snakes eating tails to octopuses biting arms
Times of India
by TOI LIFESTYLE DESKFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Nature sometimes surprises us with behaviors that seem difficult to comprehend, such as self-cannibalism—an unusual survival tactic observed in various animals. This practice, where animals consume parts of their own bodies, may appear disturbing but often serves practical purposes like conserving energy, avoiding predators, or recycling nutrients. From frogs shedding and eating their skin to snakes swallowing their tails and octopuses biting their own arms, these behaviors highlight the fascinating—and sometimes unsettling—ways animals adapt to survive in challenging environments.
One example is frogs, which shed their skin and eat it to recycle proteins and minerals, helping them stay healthy and hide from predators. Snakes, particularly in captivity, have been known to bite their tails, a behavior linked to stress or misperception of their tail as prey. Crustaceans like crabs and lobsters molt and often consume their exoskeletons to regain essential nutrients like calcium. Lizards, such as geckos, drop and eat their tails to recover stored fat and energy, especially during times of scarcity.
In some cases, self-cannibalism is a stress response or neurological issue, particularly in captive animals. Octopuses, for instance, have been observed biting off their own arms under stress or hormonal changes after laying
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026