So today, i was being random and came up with this question: If a T-rex eats a raptor with an undigested baby t-rex leg in its stomach whole, would this be a case of cannibilism? When asked this question, an overwhelming amount of people said no, with various reasons such as, he didn't mean to do it, the baby t-rex was eaten already etc. etc. My answer was yes. the definition of cannibilism is: the eating of the flesh of an animal by another animal of its own kind. In this case, intentionally or not, the T-rex will be chomping on half digested t-rex leg. the flesh of its own species. im just really bored with studying so i decided to ask this qusetion
First thing that came to my mind when I read your post was: Sweeney Todd O_O Anyways.. I think it's still considered cannibalism. The thing we should be worried about is if it was intentional or not.
Given an objective, omniscient point of view, it IS cannibalism. However, our knowledge is limited. So the T-rex doesn't know it is being cannibalistic, just like the customers at Miss Loveitt's meat pie store doesn't know they are swallowing human flesh. They don't know they are cannibalistic for those brief moments -lol LOL @ Sweeney Todd reference.
i think for the most part -- you are correct. by strict definition, if one is to eat one's own species, even if he/she does not know that they are doing so, does not nullified the fact that they have eaten the flesh/meat. therefore, they have (with/without knowing) committed the act of cannablism.
