Study: Chimps calm each other with hugs, kisses
- added June 16, 2008
- 28 responses
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- Vierotchka
- added this
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This puts the lie to the assertion that empathy is an exclusively human feature. Admittedly, chimpanzees are, after all, our closest relatives in our group of simians - the Great Apes - and have a staggering 98% or thereabouts identical DNA to that of humans.
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- Vierotchka
- 2 months ago
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I wonder if they mourn one another too. That's so crazy, how anyone can deny evolution just amazes me.
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- fauxsherrrr
- 2 months ago
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From what I can remember of what I read by Jane Goodall (that was a long time ago), some chimps do indeed mourn their closest companions when they die - and mothers especially when their babies die. They literally go into depression, which can last quite a long time, but are generally more resilient than humans.
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- Vierotchka
- 2 months ago
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This just confirms what I already believe--that animals are no less 'human' than us.
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- PoisonTheMonkey
- 2 months ago
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Makes you wonder why we are not all yet vegetarian...
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- Colonial_Zombie
- 2 months ago
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Uh yeah, but are they "Wired to be Gay"?
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We always try to look for species outside of our earth, when there are plenty down here we still don't know fully about.
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Well, I mean, they have sex for pleasure, too. I don't think this is a big jump.
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- Adumbration
- 2 months ago
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everybody needs a little tlc
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Gosh, is this a big revelation to most people?? That animals feel empathy and mourn the loss of one another? I recently lost a cat to fatter liver disease. He was really sick towards the end, and when he became sick, often my dog would lie next to him, or lick him-something he didn't normally do. When he did pass away, my other two cats and my dog showed real signs of depression and anxiety-looking all over the house as if 'searching' for him, and acting lethargic.
My pets know when I am feeling blue. They give me extra "hugs" or "kisses" or simply lay next to me.
Maybe this is why there are so few vegetarians...people don't see what's totally obvious to me?? -
awwww! its true, animals do feel empathy, often my pets know when I'm upset, and seem to try to make me feel better.. maybe its just me.. :P
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Fauxsherrr, you were wondering if the chimps mourn their dead as well. I can't say about other primates, but I know that dogs mourn. Had two dogs in the family about 6 to 7 years ago that were best friends, and they were old too. The young one was about 11 (which is old for a 165lbs dog) and the other was about 12. The 11 year old one died with us while we were on a backpacking trip (I don't want to hear anything about taking an old dog on a backpacking trip. She acted like she was 2 until the day she died and it was a very very easy trip). Afterwards the 12 year old dog was in an emotional slump for a couple of months. Emotionally he never fully recovered, though he did improve months later when we brought home a puppy to keep him company.
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- Varex_Sythe
- 2 months ago
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im offended!! i think its damn ignorant, humans are the only species capable of feeling on this 6000 year old planet!! all these fossils are there to trick us jeez
just kidding, really
evolution on this planet brought about a lot of brain development in a lot of species; it is not far fetched to know that a cousin species that evolved from a common ancestor shares some similarities with humans alike.
As for vegetarianism - i don't agree with it personally, but to each his own...-
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- superfinet
- 2 months ago
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That's cute. Love it's a universal thang! Even chimps do it!! Even chimps and babies do it! -
I want to hug a chimp.
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Is this before or after they fling poop at you?
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Humans are pretty good at flinging that too...ask any prison guard. So not only are they empathetic like us - they're also resourceful like us!
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