Are human beings the most vicious animals in the animal kingdom?
As a species, humans are among the most peaceful of animals. The number of violent humans is small compared to the size and density of the population. Other animals will fight to the death for a scrap of food, a nest, a mate etc. Chimpanzees, our closest relatives, are murderous and rapacious. Male lions kill the young cubs of lionesses so that they are ready to breed more quickly. Ants wage war on neighbouring colonies, using the losing colony for food and as slaves. Birds will kill each other for territory. Our violent behaviour is well reported, and the few incidences repeatedly told, but they are not, on a day-to-day count, common.
