I already knew cats are assholes, and all about the dolphins but the otter thing is new on me. As an owner of ferrets I'm not all that surprised. What ferrets considered "play" looks quite violent to us, and I have always refused to let mine breed because the males can actually seriously damage the females, and female ferrets are one species that will cannibalise their babies.
They will also routinely and without fear "take on" creatures much bigger than them. Mustelidae are some crazy, fearless badass creatures.
It would be awesome to know if there are evolutionary reasons behind these behaviours. As far as I can recall, females of some species actually need to be treated aggressively in order to conceive.
Even rabbits will cannibalize their young. I have noted that from our first breath, living is an act of war.
What is far more remarkable to me is that altruism - actual altruism, devoid of selfish import - is real. People do spend time and treasure to be humane, despite the reduction in 'profit'. To label all behaviour as ultimately selfish simply ignores that life can also be illogically kind.
We are more than just animals. Carlos Santana wrote in his astounding Facebook profile that we are the means God has created to craft peace out of the war that is life itself. To remain ignorant of the sublime good people are capable of reduces us to beasts, and denies our potential, and purpose, to create that eternal serendipity referred to as 'heaven' in the religions of the world.
It is neither scientifically accurate, nor useful, to live with blinders on obscuring everything but moral hazard. Real good love - not passion, but affectionate compassion and dedication to the benefit of others without thought of personal gain - is the greatest reward in life.
When you can have some, it is far preferable to any mere financial encomium.
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, there will be peace." - Jimi Hendrix
When a rabbit eats their young there is likely a reason for it...unfavourable environmental conditions or a sickness in the kits. They do it because they know their babies will not survive. We are animals. We may be different from all the others but at our core we're just another species tromping through the planet. Doesn't mean we can't have meaningful happy lives or show great altruism for others, but there is also plenty evidence of altruism throughout the animal kingdom. I'm a big believer in being a good person and trying to become a better person every day, and of seeing the good in others even when it is difficult, but I also think we overstate our importance quite a bit.
You are right on all counts.
of-course there are evolutionary reasons. This is why they are still around.
Mis stated. I more meant knowing what the reasons are rather than if there are evolutionary reasons. Of course they are.
While there may be evolutionary reasons for that psychotic behavior in animals, I dont think it is dominant.
There is even reason to believe that psychopathy is exclusively human.