Animal Emotions

Environment

Why Animals Enjoy Living in Trees, and Trees Like Them, Too

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

James Nardi's new book is an eye-opening account of the hidden lives of trees—the diverse animal companions who live in treetops and root tips—and how they and the trees benefit.

James Nardi's new book is an eye-opening account of the hidden lives of trees—the diverse animal companions who live in treetops and root tips—and how they and the trees benefit.

Environment

Why We Should Be Pleased When There's a Fungus Among Us

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 5, 2023

Michael Hathaway's fascinating book explains the secret active lives of mushrooms and how they interact in numerous dynamic and surprising ways.

Michael Hathaway's fascinating book explains the secret active lives of mushrooms and how they interact in numerous dynamic and surprising ways.

Relationships

Why Trees and People Form Mutually Beneficial Relationships

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on February 2, 2023

How do our arboreal neighbors contribute to human sustenance, well-being, economics, and safety? A discussion about the science of vegetal intelligence and relationality.

How do our arboreal neighbors contribute to human sustenance, well-being, economics, and safety? A discussion about the science of vegetal intelligence and relationality.

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.

Philosophy

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.