Animal Emotions

Animal Behavior

Concerns Over the Well-Being of Sentient, Emotional Reptiles

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 31, 2023

Reptiles are sentient beings, experience mammalian emotions, have complex social lives, and require more respect and better care in labs, zoos, and homes.

Reptiles are sentient beings, experience mammalian emotions, have complex social lives, and require more respect and better care in labs, zoos, and homes.

Animal Behavior

“I Want to Have the Happiest Do-Right Dog in the World”

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 27, 2023

It's not difficult to give your dog the best life possible. The basic rule of thumb is to let them be a dog and express their dogness as much as possible.

It's not difficult to give your dog the best life possible. The basic rule of thumb is to let them be a dog and express their dogness as much as possible.

Animal Behavior

Wolf Packs Suffer When Humans Kill Their Leaders

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 21, 2023

A study by some of the world's leading wolf experts has important implications regarding the conservation of gray wolves and the contentious public debate surrounding their future.

A study by some of the world's leading wolf experts has important implications regarding the conservation of gray wolves and the contentious public debate surrounding their future.

Environment

Terminal Philosophy Syndrome: A Wake-Up Call for All

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 20, 2023

If Jane Gray Morrison and Michael Charles Tobias' sobering new book doesn't move you to do something "good" for our troubled planet, nothing will.

If Jane Gray Morrison and Michael Charles Tobias' sobering new book doesn't move you to do something "good" for our troubled planet, nothing will.

Animal Behavior

Do Dogs Know and Prefer Their Own Breed or Do They Mix?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 18, 2023

There's no scientific evidence they do, so it's interesting to think about what might account for the persistence of this myth.

There's no scientific evidence they do, so it's interesting to think about what might account for the persistence of this myth.

Career

Saving Animals, Saving Ourselves: What Harms Them Harms Us

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 16, 2023

Jeff Sebo argues we have a moral responsibility to include animal welfare in global health and environmental policy.

Jeff Sebo argues we have a moral responsibility to include animal welfare in global health and environmental policy.

Animal Behavior

Wolves With a Parasite Become More Daring, Study Shows

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 15, 2023

Fascinating new research reveals that a hidden tiny parasite can make wolves more daring, more aggressive, and more likely to become pack leaders.

Fascinating new research reveals that a hidden tiny parasite can make wolves more daring, more aggressive, and more likely to become pack leaders.

Environment

An Urgent Global Rewilding Imperative Isn't 'Crying Wolf'

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 12, 2023

The 'Routledge Handbook of Rewilding' offers many ways to help our wounded planet—and it isn't all about us.

The 'Routledge Handbook of Rewilding' offers many ways to help our wounded planet—and it isn't all about us.

Persuasion

Animal Well-Being: Simple, User-Friendly Vocabulary

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 10, 2023

Words used to refer to nonhuman animals influence how we view them, our attitudes toward them, and speciesist proclivities, and are often used to reduce cognitive dissonance.

Words used to refer to nonhuman animals influence how we view them, our attitudes toward them, and speciesist proclivities, and are often used to reduce cognitive dissonance.

Animal Behavior

Reasons for Hope: What Went Right for Animals in 2022

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on January 1, 2023

Many people are tired of always hearing "bad news" about the plight of nonhuman animals, so here is a summary of recent "good news" for animals.

Many people are tired of always hearing "bad news" about the plight of nonhuman animals, so here is a summary of recent "good news" for animals.

Empathy

Rewilding 2023 Demands Expanding Our Self-Centered Mindsets

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 26, 2022

Science and common sense show we must psychologically fix ourselves to foster a personal, non-anthropocentric social movement with more humility and less entitlement.

Science and common sense show we must psychologically fix ourselves to foster a personal, non-anthropocentric social movement with more humility and less entitlement.

Animal Behavior

Koalas: The Fascinating Lives of Tree-Hugging Picky Eaters

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 16, 2022

Koala expert Danielle Clode's new book covers everything you would want to know about these secretive, surprising, extraordinary, and highly specialized mammals.

Koala expert Danielle Clode's new book covers everything you would want to know about these secretive, surprising, extraordinary, and highly specialized mammals.

Ethics and Morality

Justice for Animals Means Freedom to Do What Comes Naturally

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 12, 2022

The Capabilities Approach, a revolutionary theory of justice, argues that animals must be free to perform normal species-characteristic behaviors.

The Capabilities Approach, a revolutionary theory of justice, argues that animals must be free to perform normal species-characteristic behaviors.

Diet

Vegan Entanglements: The Far-Reaching Webs of Speciesism

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 8, 2022

The narrow mindset of imagined human superiority directly influences many different sectors including animal protection, law, correction systems, immigration, and social justice.

The narrow mindset of imagined human superiority directly influences many different sectors including animal protection, law, correction systems, immigration, and social justice.

Relationships

Calling Animals "Pests" Is More About Us Than Them

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

Bethany Brookshire's important and timely new book is more about us than about the animals we write off as pests and wantonly harm and kill.

Bethany Brookshire's important and timely new book is more about us than about the animals we write off as pests and wantonly harm and kill.

Relationships

What Happened After Human Carnivores Came to America

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on November 30, 2022

A riveting new book views humans not as a species apart but as a new animal that had devastating effects wherever they showed up.

A riveting new book views humans not as a species apart but as a new animal that had devastating effects wherever they showed up.

Play

Do Dogs Learn 'Bad Habits' When They're Allowed to Be Dogs?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on November 26, 2022

It's up to you to give your dog the freedoms they need to express their dogness. Calling a dog a "bad dog" might be the easy way out and unfair to them.

It's up to you to give your dog the freedoms they need to express their dogness. Calling a dog a "bad dog" might be the easy way out and unfair to them.

Creativity

The Fascinating and Wide-Ranging Creative Lives of Animals

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

A landmark book discusses creativity in animals from elephants to ants and weaves it into morality, playing, mating, emotions, conservation, and more.

A landmark book discusses creativity in animals from elephants to ants and weaves it into morality, playing, mating, emotions, conservation, and more.

Environment

Homo Ecophagus: A Species Who Devours Global Ecosystems

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on November 20, 2022

Physician Warren Hern argues that humans have evolved cultures and adaptations that have now become malignant and offers remedies for changing our maladaptive ways.

Physician Warren Hern argues that humans have evolved cultures and adaptations that have now become malignant and offers remedies for changing our maladaptive ways.

Relationships

Anthropocene Psychology: Dogs as Mirrors of Human Behavior

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on November 18, 2022

A thought-provoking essay discusses "anthrozooalgia"—humans suffering for other animals—and our separation from animals and nature as a form of collective "psychozoologic" stress.

A thought-provoking essay discusses "anthrozooalgia"—humans suffering for other animals—and our separation from animals and nature as a form of collective "psychozoologic" stress.