Animals often display behaviours and traits that mirror human characteristics in surprising ways.
While they might seem like completely different creatures (which obviously they are), you’d be shocked at just how much we have in common with them. Here are some of the most intriguing examples of how our animal counterparts share similarities with us.
1. Elephants mourn their dead.
Elephants show remarkable emotional depth when it comes to death. They’ve been observed visiting the bones of deceased family members, gently touching them with their trunks. This behaviour suggests a level of grief and remembrance that we often associate with human mourning rituals. Elephants also display signs of distress when encountering dead elephants they didn’t know, indicating a broader understanding of mortality.
2. Dolphins use tools.
Tool use, once thought to be a uniquely human trait, has been observed in dolphins. Some dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia, have been seen using sponges to protect their beaks while foraging on the seafloor. This behaviour is passed down from mother to daughter, showcasing a form of cultural transmission. The ability to use and pass on knowledge about tools demonstrates problem-solving skills and adaptability similar to human innovation.
3. Chimpanzees engage in politics.
Chimpanzee groups have complex social structures that involve alliances, power struggles, and strategic thinking. Male chimps often form coalitions to challenge or support the alpha male, engaging in behaviours that resemble human political manoeuvring. These social dynamics include reconciliation after conflicts and the use of grooming as a form of social currency, demonstrating sophisticated social intelligence.
4. Rats show empathy.
Contrary to their reputation, rats display empathetic behaviour. Studies have shown that rats will free trapped companions even when there’s no apparent reward for doing so. They’ve also been observed to share food with hungry rats, particularly if they’ve experienced hunger themselves. This suggests not only empathy but also a form of prosocial behaviour based on past experiences, mirroring human compassion.
5. Crows hold grudges.
Crows have demonstrated an ability to remember human faces and hold grudges against those who have wronged them. They can recognise individual human faces and communicate this information to other crows. This behaviour shows not only impressive cognitive abilities, but also a capacity for long-term memory and social learning that’s remarkably human-like in its complexity.
6. Octopuses display personality traits.
Despite being invertebrates, octopuses show distinct personality traits. Some are shy, while others are bold and curious. They’ve been observed playing with objects, solving puzzles, and even escaping from their tanks in aquariums. Each octopus seems to have its own unique character, much like humans do. This individuality challenges our understanding of intelligence and personality in non-mammalian species.
7. Bonobos share food with strangers.
Bonobos, our close primate relatives, have been observed sharing food with strangers, a behaviour rarely seen in the animal kingdom. This willingness to share resources with unfamiliar individuals suggests a level of trust and cooperation that’s often considered a hallmark of human societies. It demonstrates a capacity for friendliness and social bonding beyond immediate kin groups.
8. Parrots name their offspring.
Some parrot species, particularly spectacled parrotlets, use unique sound combinations that function as names for their chicks. Each chick is given a distinct call sign by its parents, which it then uses throughout its life. This naming behaviour is reminiscent of human parents naming their children and suggests a sophisticated level of communication and individual recognition within parrot societies.
9. Bees can understand the concept of zero.
Recent studies have shown that honeybees can understand the concept of zero, a cognitive ability previously thought to be limited to a few animal species, including humans. Bees can be trained to recognise ‘less than’ in numerical comparisons, including recognising an empty set as less than one. This mathematical ability demonstrates a level of abstract thinking that’s surprisingly advanced for an insect brain.
10. Orangutans plan for the future.
Orangutans have been observed planning their travel routes in advance, a behaviour that requires the ability to think ahead and make decisions based on future needs. Male orangutans will announce their travel direction to other orangutans, sometimes a day before they set off. This forward-thinking and communication about future events is a cognitive skill long thought to be uniquely human, demonstrating the complex mental capabilities of these great apes.
