Animal Emotions

Do animals think and feel?

Marc Bekoff is Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder. See full bio

Animal Emotions

February 6, 2010

Going to slaughter: Should animals hope to meet Temple Grandin?

The lives of slaughterhouse animals are marked by constant fear, terror, and anxiety and cannot be made humane by any acceptable definition of the word Read More

February 5, 2010

Tool use in animals: Mammals, birds, and other animals make and use tools and do other "surprising" things

Mammals, birds, and other animals make and use tools and show many other complex patterns of behavior Read More

February 4, 2010

Who's moral? We're not alone in the moral arena

We're not alone in the moral arena - a follow-up Read More

January 25, 2010

Animals in media: Righting the wrongs

The misrepresentation of animals continues even as knowledge about them shows how remarkable they. Read More

January 13, 2010

Are nonhuman animals more moral than human animals? Yes they are

Humans and nonhuman animals are highly cooperative and empathic, more so than we've previously believed. And you don’t find mass warfare in animals as you do in humans so if you want to cast it that way, you could say animals are more moral. Read More

December 31, 2009

Do Less Harm: Ants and a Simple New Years Resolution

Ants are amazing animals. Cutting off their legs isn't a mere "makeover." What did the ants think and feel about being mutilated? Read More

December 27, 2009

Who we eat is moral question: Vegans have nothing to defend

Vegans don't have to apologize for, or defend, their humane and ethical choices of who to put in their mouth Read More

December 18, 2009

Animals In the News: A brief summary of the fascinating lives of animals and people's attitudes toward them

We are so lucky to be able to share the world with a wide array of fascinating animals and also so fortunate to be able to learn about who they are when we allow them to live their lives free of our intrusions - amazing beings from whom we can learn a lot about ourselves. Read More

December 12, 2009

Animals and Us: Maintaining Hope and Keeping Our Dreams Alive in Difficult Times

We live in a troubled and wounded world that is in dire need of healing. We all should be troubled and terrified by what we have done and continue to do. We can all make more humane and compassionate choices and we can all do better. We can and must keep our hopes and dreams alive. Read More

November 30, 2009

Do animals have spiritual experiences? Yes they do

Available evidence says "Yes, animals can have spiritual experiences." We are not alone in the emotional, moral, or spiritual arenas. Read More

Books by Marc Bekoff

Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals

The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy - and Why They Matter

Animals Matter: A Biologist Explains Why We Should Treat Animals with Compassion and Respect

Animals at Play: Rules of the Game

Encyclopedia of Human-Animal Relationships: A Global Exploration of Our Connections with Animals, Volume 1: A-Con

Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior (3 Vol. Set)

Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare

The Animal Manifesto: Six Reasons for Expanding Our Compassion Footprint

Animal Behavior Basics

Pets are among life's greatest joys; they can also be our greatest teachers. The study of animal behavior is a cornerstone of experimental psychology, shedding light on complex human emotions. And pets have a unique therapaeutic hold over humans, especially people who are socially isolated or who are coping with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.

Go to the Animal Behavior Basics page for more on Animal Behavior including:

Current Issue

Heartbreak and Home Runs: The Power of First Experiences

How early life experiences shape our character.

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Books by Marc Bekoff

Animal Behavior Basics

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