this is a concept I came up with that I'm obsessed with.
Basically, preds have the ability to go through a type of broodiness (similar to various avian and reptile species) that makes them obsessively desire to consume prey and keep them inside their bodies. It's very much an endosoma concept, with the pred showing physiological and behavioral changes, and an INTENSE drive to reach their end goal of having their prey inside them, tucked away safe and sound, warm, protected, and all theirs. It's a common mating and social bonding practice.
Many things on the prey's part can trigger broodiness in preds, from the prey being scared, shy, submissive, hurt, ill, or even cold from the elements. Usually triggered by the pred's mate (though it could also be a crush, or a friend or even acquaintance they have a sudden affection or possessiveness/protective feelings for), the pred will start feeling an intense warmth and possessiveness, a desire to envelope them entirely and protect them from threats.
This will cause them to puff out their chest, get dilated pupils, and fluff up (if they have fur/feathers). Some preds might even go through physical changes, such as developing more body fat, thicker fur, or special patches of brooding fur/feathers. Oxytocin will be released like crazy. They'll start to feel deeply warm and fluttery feelings in the belly, and an intense desire for it to be filled with their desired prey. It can reach a point of broody-drunkenness in some.
This may be accompanied by intense "hunger pains", and internal muscle spasms on the pred's part. They actually become physically starved for their desired prey.
Further signs of broodiness could start by the pred just being closer in general. They'll want to always have physical contact. Affectionate grooming behaviors will increase, such as licking or brushing the hair. This is especially apparent with feline preds as they'll lick their desired prey raw with the barbs on their tongue, but every species of pred shows initial signs of broodiness in different ways. Some will even give you a whole spa day just to be close to you and preen and pamper, and massage you!
Heavy drooling, and rubbing up against the prey will always be initial signs of broodiness. Preds will tend to rub up against/massage/squish their prey to a point where it can become painful for the prey. Think of it as cuteness aggression on overdrive, as well as a way for preds to mark the prey with their scent.
Preds may also become obsessed with "keeping their prey warm", by putting blankets over them, warming them with their body heat, or even giving them a hot soup or beverage. Nesting behavior will begin here as well.
Some preds may create an exaggerated "purring" sound or "shivering" sensation to increase warmth and a sense of well-being while cuddling. This is why most preds purr, even non-felines!
Symptoms will then get more intense and physical. The pred will start trying to "envelope" their prey with their body in any way they can. Snuggling, cuddling, leaning against the prey, very powerful hugs, and mouthing are common. Lovey-dovey affectionate feelings will intensify, leading to intense warmth throughout the pred's body, and an increasing hunger toward the prey. This hunger is indistinguishable from the broody and affectionate feelings.
While broody feelings can be mild or temporary with proper self control, preds will sometimes become feral to varying degrees and obsessed with devouring their prey to keep them safe, and "theirs". They might develop aggression to anyone who comes near the prey, and this will only intensify the desire to consume them in order to protect them and possess them. Preds may lay on top of their prey entirely before finally succumbing to devouring them whole.
This can be an inconvenience for the prey, as the pred may spend hours or even days lounging in a broody state with their prey in their bellies (or mouths/brooding pouches/etc).
Some preds may also exhibit "nesting" behaviors, finding the perfect comfortable hide-aways to have this special time with their prey alone, or they might stay in public areas. The latter tends to make the pred a nuisance (possibly even dangerous) and menace to everyone as feral broody feelings usually take over logic at this point.
Thankfully for the prey, broodiness in preds is usually harmless, only coming from a place of overzealous affection and protectiveness. A successful bond will cause the pred to stop producing stomach acid, thus making safe consumption of prey possible!
The pred will either stop eating anything else, only desiring their prey, or they will eat a TON of food prior to eating their prey for nourishment before the act, since again, broody preds don't usually digest their prey (eating food while broody is not recommended as it can cause indigestion). Broodiness goes hand in hand with affectionate and loving feelings, as well as extreme possessiveness and protectiveness, typically towards mates (but not always).
However, preds that DO get broody with their food are exceptionally dangerous, as nothing can stop a pred from devouring and digesting their desired prey once they get broody over them! The only way to possibly save the prey then is to use a decoy, but this isn't guaranteed to work. Possessive broodiness to a point of digestion isn't unheard of, and is a sign of underlying emotional or psychological issues. Unhealthy brooding practice can result in many dangerous and controlling behaviors, and should be corrected.
So anyway, I'm obsessed with broody preds. <3
