Elephants are the smartest land animals on earth and the complexity of their brains is comparable to that of humans. This is also clearly reflected in their behaviour. They are able to communicate with body language within their own species and even with humans, and a recent study has shown they even give each other names.
Dolphins and whales are also pretty smart, so yes, size is a big part of what matters.
Their neurons are bigger tho. The odd case are bird brains; they work a bit different than mammalian but are as smart as ravens in a small package, while human neurons are as small as physically can be.
I figured some of the larger species have some basic emotions. My preying mantis could certainly let me know if she was irritated, though I never really saw a “happy” as much as “content.”
My tarantula and I never managed to talk to one another.
they obviously have emotions, just a bit less complex ones, but it’s pretty clear they’re not just robots
Just because we understand their emotions only on a basic level doesn’t mean they’re not more complicated.
There is a lot we don’t understand and can’t understand.
their brains are a lot smaller though, so less complex
If size is what matters, then whales, elephants, and dolphins all have more complex brains than humans.
Elephants are the smartest land animals on earth and the complexity of their brains is comparable to that of humans. This is also clearly reflected in their behaviour. They are able to communicate with body language within their own species and even with humans, and a recent study has shown they even give each other names.
Dolphins and whales are also pretty smart, so yes, size is a big part of what matters.
Their neurons are bigger tho. The odd case are bird brains; they work a bit different than mammalian but are as smart as ravens in a small package, while human neurons are as small as physically can be.
… yes
So you’re saying my 10 lb jack russell has less complex brain than a Labrador Retriever?
How do you know cats don’t experience sonder? Did you ask one? No, you just assumed
Two monks were passing by a little pond where there were some ducks, and the first monk said, “Look at how happy those ducks are!”
The second monk said, “You are not a duck. You can’t know if they are happy.”
The first monk replied, “You are not me. You can’t know that I cannot.”
Hidden gem. Thanks!
The takeaway from this is that half of all monks may or may not have duck telepathy, yes?
It’s a zen parable, so… yes.
I’ve asked my cats loads of questions. Not one has given a comprehensive answer.
sonwhat?
Sonder is the inverse of this:
Had to look that up too. My immediate reaction was wondering if Thalasin works for them too?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Td2x8s9GZlo
Insects on the other hand are pretty much nature’s robots.
Bees have been known to engage in play
I figured some of the larger species have some basic emotions. My preying mantis could certainly let me know if she was irritated, though I never really saw a “happy” as much as “content.”
My tarantula and I never managed to talk to one another.
I don’t understand non-mammalian pets
Why have a tarantula that you just look at, instead of a Golden retriever to goof off with?
because children think weird pets are ‘cool’