Can other animals understand death? - Barbara J. King
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Date: 2023-07-11
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Comments and reviews: 20
Tiberius
Emotions can be an expression of culture and physical expression, for example in the case of the veitnam war the non combatants who were in contact with US troops would smile as a sign of anger, discomfort, disagreement or confusion. (among other things)
This use of smiling of course was enough to unsettle the US troops.
This means that not all expressions are the same in human cultures even if it is used globally.
Therefore we must consider our cultural bias and species bias.
Species bias being what they are physically capable of expressing, say if an animal was not born with tear ducts they would not be able to cry as an expression.
Cultural bias being the animal's specific culture, physical biology and enviornment influences their culture much like our own.
In order to understand animals we have to understand their culture and how their biology expresses their emotions.
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Emotions can be an expression of culture and physical expression, for example in the case of the veitnam war the non combatants who were in contact with US troops would smile as a sign of anger, discomfort, disagreement or confusion. (among other things)
This use of smiling of course was enough to unsettle the US troops.
This means that not all expressions are the same in human cultures even if it is used globally.
Therefore we must consider our cultural bias and species bias.
Species bias being what they are physically capable of expressing, say if an animal was not born with tear ducts they would not be able to cry as an expression.
Cultural bias being the animal's specific culture, physical biology and enviornment influences their culture much like our own.
In order to understand animals we have to understand their culture and how their biology expresses their emotions.
reply
Soals
I think we need to ask ourselves why grief exists at all. Humans are animals too, I know we like to think we are godlike creatures so different from the rest, but grief evolved in us for a reason. I think it s an evolution in being social, perhaps a crucial one. And if so, it could be argued that any social animal could have the capacity to grieve for the same reasons.
Most emotions are tied to survival, there s very little base emotion that is reasonless. If we can understand why we have instincts and emotional impulses, it can help us identify cases where animals will have cases similar, and why.
In the end it all comes about because of survival, and arguing that animals are reactive and trying to survive misses the point of emotions or any behavior at all in the first place.
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I think we need to ask ourselves why grief exists at all. Humans are animals too, I know we like to think we are godlike creatures so different from the rest, but grief evolved in us for a reason. I think it s an evolution in being social, perhaps a crucial one. And if so, it could be argued that any social animal could have the capacity to grieve for the same reasons.
Most emotions are tied to survival, there s very little base emotion that is reasonless. If we can understand why we have instincts and emotional impulses, it can help us identify cases where animals will have cases similar, and why.
In the end it all comes about because of survival, and arguing that animals are reactive and trying to survive misses the point of emotions or any behavior at all in the first place.
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SuperWolf
I used to have a male and female green anole as pets, they're social animals and change from vibrant green to dark brown depending on factors such as heat, and social reasons as well. They'd been together for years, and the male eventually died. The female stayed brown for days and ended up dying less than a week after the male. I'm not sure if it was coincidence or if that other lizard really did die of a broken heart. Lizards aren't usually known for having higher emotion like that, but it was certainly a strange thing to witness from an animal that isn't supposed to be able to do that.
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I used to have a male and female green anole as pets, they're social animals and change from vibrant green to dark brown depending on factors such as heat, and social reasons as well. They'd been together for years, and the male eventually died. The female stayed brown for days and ended up dying less than a week after the male. I'm not sure if it was coincidence or if that other lizard really did die of a broken heart. Lizards aren't usually known for having higher emotion like that, but it was certainly a strange thing to witness from an animal that isn't supposed to be able to do that.
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[Soffy]
I used to have a male and female green anole as pets, they're social animals and change from vibrant green to dark brown depending on factors such as heat, and social reasons as well. They'd been together for years, and the male eventually died. The female stayed brown for days and ended up dying less than a week after the male. I'm not sure if it was coincidence or if that other lizard really did die of a broken heart. Lizards aren't usually known for having higher emotion like that, but it was certainly a strange thing to witness from an animal that isn't supposed to be able to do that.
reply
I used to have a male and female green anole as pets, they're social animals and change from vibrant green to dark brown depending on factors such as heat, and social reasons as well. They'd been together for years, and the male eventually died. The female stayed brown for days and ended up dying less than a week after the male. I'm not sure if it was coincidence or if that other lizard really did die of a broken heart. Lizards aren't usually known for having higher emotion like that, but it was certainly a strange thing to witness from an animal that isn't supposed to be able to do that.
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Ashish
It doesn't need research, it need more believe on the fact that our body, organs, blood, brain, & the endless list. Is inherited from other animals & evolved further, mostly brain & bipedalism. Rest in many aspect other animals are faster, stronger, jump high, swim faster, hear low decibel, possess special senses & so on, they also evolved further but basics is same. Like the life tree which has many branches & some genetics are still common.
Ofcourse primates wont react on loss of wirless connection but they feel deep too by the loss of some life. they love. A real connection.
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It doesn't need research, it need more believe on the fact that our body, organs, blood, brain, & the endless list. Is inherited from other animals & evolved further, mostly brain & bipedalism. Rest in many aspect other animals are faster, stronger, jump high, swim faster, hear low decibel, possess special senses & so on, they also evolved further but basics is same. Like the life tree which has many branches & some genetics are still common.
Ofcourse primates wont react on loss of wirless connection but they feel deep too by the loss of some life. they love. A real connection.
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education
I remember when my brother moved out and didnt visit in a very long time, our dog became extremely lethargic and would hardly eat for a long time. My mom was actually worried that his health was declining and that he may have been dying. I've been told by my family that he also becomes distressed and showed signs of depression when I leave for more than a week. He would sleep on my bed every night waiting, and go into my closet and lay on my laundry. It makes me sad that not long from now I'll be moving out, I'm so worried he'll react the way he did to my brother leaving.
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I remember when my brother moved out and didnt visit in a very long time, our dog became extremely lethargic and would hardly eat for a long time. My mom was actually worried that his health was declining and that he may have been dying. I've been told by my family that he also becomes distressed and showed signs of depression when I leave for more than a week. He would sleep on my bed every night waiting, and go into my closet and lay on my laundry. It makes me sad that not long from now I'll be moving out, I'm so worried he'll react the way he did to my brother leaving.
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maria
I remember when my brother moved out and didnt visit in a very long time, our dog became extremely lethargic and would hardly eat for a long time. My mom was actually worried that his health was declining and that he may have been dying. I've been told by my family that he also becomes distressed and showed signs of depression when I leave for more than a week. He would sleep on my bed every night waiting, and go into my closet and lay on my laundry. It makes me sad that not long from now I'll be moving out, I'm so worried he'll react the way he did to my brother leaving.
reply
I remember when my brother moved out and didnt visit in a very long time, our dog became extremely lethargic and would hardly eat for a long time. My mom was actually worried that his health was declining and that he may have been dying. I've been told by my family that he also becomes distressed and showed signs of depression when I leave for more than a week. He would sleep on my bed every night waiting, and go into my closet and lay on my laundry. It makes me sad that not long from now I'll be moving out, I'm so worried he'll react the way he did to my brother leaving.
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shadowwriter329
I remember seeing a video of a troop of monkeys grieving. They had a fake baby monkey that was a spy camera to get a closer look at the troop s interactions. One day one monkey was carrying the spy and accidentally dropped it from a high height. The reacted at once and tries to help it but when it seemed like the unmoving baby had died they all gathered around. The large group circled the dead baby, some bowing their heads and some holding family members. I have no doubt animals that display high level and complex emotions and understanding can grieve.
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I remember seeing a video of a troop of monkeys grieving. They had a fake baby monkey that was a spy camera to get a closer look at the troop s interactions. One day one monkey was carrying the spy and accidentally dropped it from a high height. The reacted at once and tries to help it but when it seemed like the unmoving baby had died they all gathered around. The large group circled the dead baby, some bowing their heads and some holding family members. I have no doubt animals that display high level and complex emotions and understanding can grieve.
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Adam
Animals (mammals at least) definitely have emotions. I know this is anecdotal but the last cat I had was a rescue cat that was a few years old. We brought him home and he was obviously confused and frightened. Ran about all over the place. I said his name and he instantly stopped, did a double take and stared wide eyed. As if wondering 'how does this person know my name? ' Exactly the same facial expression a person makes when shocked/surprised. They feel emotions, they just can't vocalise them like a person would.
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Animals (mammals at least) definitely have emotions. I know this is anecdotal but the last cat I had was a rescue cat that was a few years old. We brought him home and he was obviously confused and frightened. Ran about all over the place. I said his name and he instantly stopped, did a double take and stared wide eyed. As if wondering 'how does this person know my name? ' Exactly the same facial expression a person makes when shocked/surprised. They feel emotions, they just can't vocalise them like a person would.
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Danica:
I had a family of stray cats living in my garden for quite a while. One of the kitten's body was found dismantled with her tail and limbs detached, probably from the attack of another cat. The mother soon left with her kittens, though used to come back and wail occasionally, like every third day. She still visits the place, and cries for a considerable time. Her wails were so agonising, it's like she was violently lamenting over her child's death. Her wails still ache me.
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I had a family of stray cats living in my garden for quite a while. One of the kitten's body was found dismantled with her tail and limbs detached, probably from the attack of another cat. The mother soon left with her kittens, though used to come back and wail occasionally, like every third day. She still visits the place, and cries for a considerable time. Her wails were so agonising, it's like she was violently lamenting over her child's death. Her wails still ache me.
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Maliyah
I had a family of stray cats living in my garden for quite a while. One of the kitten's body was found dismantled with her tail and limbs detached, probably from the attack of another cat. The mother soon left with her kittens, though used to come back and wail occasionally, like every third day. She still visits the place, and cries for a considerable time. Her wails were so agonising, it's like she was violently lamenting over her child's death. Her wails still ache me.
reply
I had a family of stray cats living in my garden for quite a while. One of the kitten's body was found dismantled with her tail and limbs detached, probably from the attack of another cat. The mother soon left with her kittens, though used to come back and wail occasionally, like every third day. She still visits the place, and cries for a considerable time. Her wails were so agonising, it's like she was violently lamenting over her child's death. Her wails still ache me.
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eunoia
I had a family of stray cats living in my garden for quite a while. One of the kitten's body was found dismantled with her tail and limbs detached, probably from the attack of another cat. The mother soon left with her kittens, though used to come back and wail occasionally, like every third day. She still visits the place, and cries for a considerable time. Her wails were so agonising, it's like she was violently lamenting over her child's death. Her wails still ache me.
reply
I had a family of stray cats living in my garden for quite a while. One of the kitten's body was found dismantled with her tail and limbs detached, probably from the attack of another cat. The mother soon left with her kittens, though used to come back and wail occasionally, like every third day. She still visits the place, and cries for a considerable time. Her wails were so agonising, it's like she was violently lamenting over her child's death. Her wails still ache me.
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NXE
I am surprised crows isn't mentioned here, they are known to hold funerals and very social between each. Even if maybe they do that just to understand how one died and how to avoid it, altho it is not the exact same as we separate between inspection and funeral, it is still fair enough to say that they understand death, maybe not in a griefing way but it's still a way to understand death that we humans also do though out the time.
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I am surprised crows isn't mentioned here, they are known to hold funerals and very social between each. Even if maybe they do that just to understand how one died and how to avoid it, altho it is not the exact same as we separate between inspection and funeral, it is still fair enough to say that they understand death, maybe not in a griefing way but it's still a way to understand death that we humans also do though out the time.
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PramkLuna
The saddest video you guys have ever made, personally I think they do feel pain but it would differ across species. Animals like elephants and giraffes take a long time to raise young and would feel bad about losing a child while mice and birds who can produce many and take less time to raise them wouldn't feel as much connection to their children.
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The saddest video you guys have ever made, personally I think they do feel pain but it would differ across species. Animals like elephants and giraffes take a long time to raise young and would feel bad about losing a child while mice and birds who can produce many and take less time to raise them wouldn't feel as much connection to their children.
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Kitty
I once saw a duck (female) hit by a car. The body was moved away from the street and onto the sidewalk, waiting for the city to clean it up. A mallard landed next to the dead duck and sat down. He didn't move, until after the city took the body. That was the moment I realized animals are not 'just animals'.
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I once saw a duck (female) hit by a car. The body was moved away from the street and onto the sidewalk, waiting for the city to clean it up. A mallard landed next to the dead duck and sat down. He didn't move, until after the city took the body. That was the moment I realized animals are not 'just animals'.
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Herdzsky
I had a dog who bit my friend thinking that he's protecting me. I bought my friend to the emergency room to get some shots. When I get home, I sat on my couch watching TV and my dog slowly approached my and placed his head on my right knee, making whining sound like he's asking for forgiveness.
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I had a dog who bit my friend thinking that he's protecting me. I bought my friend to the emergency room to get some shots. When I get home, I sat on my couch watching TV and my dog slowly approached my and placed his head on my right knee, making whining sound like he's asking for forgiveness.
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Charlotte
All living things not only experience grief the same way we do but they can also feel other things like hunger, thirst, pain, anger, love ect! And we humans are also animals so that doesn't make us the only animals that can experience feelings like physical, emotional and mental
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All living things not only experience grief the same way we do but they can also feel other things like hunger, thirst, pain, anger, love ect! And we humans are also animals so that doesn't make us the only animals that can experience feelings like physical, emotional and mental
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Little
Once when we were cutting down a tree in our backyard it hit a magpie and ended up killing it, for the following weeks other magpies took turns watching the body and wouldn't let anything come close. They appeared to be talking to the dead magpie as if trying to ask if it was ok
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Once when we were cutting down a tree in our backyard it hit a magpie and ended up killing it, for the following weeks other magpies took turns watching the body and wouldn't let anything come close. They appeared to be talking to the dead magpie as if trying to ask if it was ok
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Robert
I think it's really arrogant of us humans to think we're the only ones who feel. It doesn't take much observing to realize some animals definitely feel some form of grief and other emotions. It may not be remotely the same but there's definitely some kind of feeling there.
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I think it's really arrogant of us humans to think we're the only ones who feel. It doesn't take much observing to realize some animals definitely feel some form of grief and other emotions. It may not be remotely the same but there's definitely some kind of feeling there.
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Sairam
The pain of a loved one's death is mainly seen in mammals and birds, including humans. But fish, insects and many types of marine species are the survivors of the fittest. So, they don't have many problems with emotional pain which disturbs their survival.
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The pain of a loved one's death is mainly seen in mammals and birds, including humans. But fish, insects and many types of marine species are the survivors of the fittest. So, they don't have many problems with emotional pain which disturbs their survival.
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