Do animals commit suicide?

[oesdog]

Just one word:

Lemmings!

Oesdog

 

[runsw/scissors]

I know that dolphins can commit suicide. They are not obligate breathers, that is their breathing is by choice. Unlike us who breathe involuntarily. Dolphins choose each and every breath.

They can commit suicide by simply not coming up to breathe. How sad is that?? I would imagine that apes would be capable of such actions. Anyway aside from dolphins, I don't know.

 

[D3invertebrates]

Quote:
Its rare that a female would kill a male while mating, its more of a thing that happens in captivity because they have no room to escape in there enclosure. I once was mating a pair of mantids in my room when they finished the male flew straight into a wall and killed himself though thats not exactly suicide lol. But many types of animals do commit suicide one of which is the scorpion, if depressed they will often stab themselves in the head to death, Ive actually witnessed this a few times.

 

[gmendoza]

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Its rare that a female would kill a male while mating, its more of a thing that happens in captivity because they have no room to escape in there enclosure. I once was mating a pair of mantids in my room when they finished the male flew straight into a wall and killed himself though thats not exactly suicide lol. But many types of animals do commit suicide one of which is the scorpion, if depressed they will often stab themselves in the head to death, Ive actually witnessed this a few times.

Mantids are carnivours. The female will eat the male after mating.The male tries a "bump and run" maneuver on the female.He err..bumps into her and then TAKES OFF MADLY to avoid being eaten alive!!!! Some make it,some dont.This is not suicide.

The female then after some small time lays her egg pods and then wonders off to a dark place and dies.This is not suicide.Its the way of nature.

Black widows do this as well to the males.not suicide but cannabalism.

for example: If a dog loses an owner be it death or unwanted, and it waits in that spot of abandonment for a long time,then one day does a header into an oncomming car out of the blue,then thats suicide.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I don't think non-human animals perceive time and death like we do. Therefore, I'm not sure that suicide would be the proper term for it. However, yes I do think all animals are capable of self destructive behaviors, as well as sacrifice of their lives. Many animals can suffer from similar psychological disorders that humans do (Working with abused and neglected parrots is much like working in a psych ward at a hospital.) I've seen things like OCD, self-mutilation, depression, innability to focus, etc. However, I'm not sure non-human animals make the decision "Death would be better than this" in the same capacity that humans can. Usually, in situations of sickness or injury, the animal is considering the greater good of the pack, rather than itself.

Much of what we consider suicidal behavior in animals is accidental I think. Things like flying into windows or walls, or running into the middle of the street for example.

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

Cats can in effect committ suicide. Sick, dying cats will often stop eating. Not fast, but the lack of food will kill them.

 

[Avalon1984]

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Isn't that kind of the same like elephants that go to the old burial grounds to die? Maybe what we consider as suicide is a self awareness as to death approaching and they are just doing the last few things they can before they pass on? Just a random thought.

 

[deerman]

Honey bee , not sure it suicide.......but every worker bee will die after it stings anything or and PERSON !

Its just them protecting the hive...but they give up their life.

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

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Isn't that kind of the same like elephants that go to the old burial grounds to die? Maybe what we consider as suicide is a self awareness as to death approaching and they are just doing the last few things they can before they pass on? Just a random thought.

More or less. It's a technicality. They are quickening their death, it's a form of suicide. It's not a bad decision, IMO, but it does get into the idea that any time I notice an older animal of ours refusing to eat, even the favorite treats, we need to let them take a final trip to the vet.

 

[DTRM30]

I think many animals have more awareness than people give them credit for. They may not necessarily think I'm going to kill myself tomorrow, but they do make the decision to not eat, not breathe, or perhaps run into traffic based on psychological distress. This, in essence - is suicide - even if the animal isn't directly considering the results of their ations to be death. They are making a conscious decision that is contrary to basic survival instincts - such as eating and breathing.

If people can give up on life, why can't animals be capable of the same ?