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Animal Emotions

Do animals think and feel?

Animal Behavior
Lessons From 40 Years Among Wolves

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on September 6, 2024

Diane Boyd's tireless efforts to learn about wild wolves in a career dominated by men is a riveting story of passion, resilience, and determination.

Diane Boyd's tireless efforts to learn about wild wolves in a career dominated by men is a riveting story of passion, resilience, and determination.

Animal Behavior
Colorado's New Family of Wild Wolves Must be Celebrated

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on September 1, 2024

Let’s keep mom, dad, and their 3 children together in the wild—that’s why we moved them here. Science and ethics clearly tell us this is the right move and what the wolves want.

Let’s keep mom, dad, and their 3 children together in the wild—that’s why we moved them here. Science and ethics clearly tell us this is the right move and what the wolves want.

Stress
Could a Dog Know I’d Recently Been Attacked by Another Dog?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on August 26, 2024

Dogs generally sniff first and ask questions later. Here, I wonder if a dog who usually liked me avoided me because she knew I’d had a prior fear-filled encounter with another dog?

Dogs generally sniff first and ask questions later. Here, I wonder if a dog who usually liked me avoided me because she knew I’d had a prior fear-filled encounter with another dog?

Media
Colorado Wolves: Hyped Media Derails Neighborly Coexistence

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on August 23, 2024

People often underestimate the psychological effects of sensationalist media, in this case, on wolves, whose presence offers valuable lessons about human-animal relationships.

People often underestimate the psychological effects of sensationalist media, in this case, on wolves, whose presence offers valuable lessons about human-animal relationships.

Animal Behavior
Rethinking Rescue: Who Deserves the Love of a Dog?

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on August 21, 2024

In her new book, Carol Mithers unites animal welfare and social justice, asking why we’re more likely to judge pet owners in poverty than help them care for the animals they love.

In her new book, Carol Mithers unites animal welfare and social justice, asking why we’re more likely to judge pet owners in poverty than help them care for the animals they love.

Animal Behavior
A Scientist’s Journey From Dogs’ Minds to Cows’ Hearts

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on August 16, 2024

Neuroscientist Gregory Berns shows cows' emotional lives have more in common with dogs than ever imagined, and they are worthy of the same compassion we give our canine companions.

Neuroscientist Gregory Berns shows cows' emotional lives have more in common with dogs than ever imagined, and they are worthy of the same compassion we give our canine companions.

Animal Behavior
The Wisdom, Intellect, and Emotional Lives of Sheep

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on August 13, 2024

Rosamund Young offers touching, wise, and surprising stories of the rich inner lives of sheep and other animals, and what we can learn about them and ourselves by watching them.

Rosamund Young offers touching, wise, and surprising stories of the rich inner lives of sheep and other animals, and what we can learn about them and ourselves by watching them.

Animal Behavior
Why Wild Animals Talk and What They're Saying to One Another

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on August 6, 2024

In his new book, Arik Kershenbaum discusses communication and sociality, including the majestic howls of wolves, chatter of parrots, melodic clicks of dolphins, and grunts of chimpanzees.

In his new book, Arik Kershenbaum discusses communication and sociality, including the majestic howls of wolves, chatter of parrots, melodic clicks of dolphins, and grunts of chimpanzees.

Relationships
'Hoof Beats': How Horses Altered the Course of Human History

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on August 3, 2024

William Taylor's fascinating new book offers a revolutionary account of the history of the domestication of horses and explores how they helped create the world we live in today.

William Taylor's fascinating new book offers a revolutionary account of the history of the domestication of horses and explores how they helped create the world we live in today.

Environment
The Perks of Appreciating Wild Neighbors as Sentient Beings

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on July 16, 2024

Brandon Keim's timely book explores what animal personhood—knowing them as thinking, intelligent, emotional individuals—means for our relationships with wild animals and nature.

Brandon Keim's timely book explores what animal personhood—knowing them as thinking, intelligent, emotional individuals—means for our relationships with wild animals and nature.

Animal Behavior
City Pets: The Riveting Life of a House-Call Veterinarian

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on July 14, 2024

Dr. Amy Attas offers funny, heartwarming stories of New Yorkers both human and animal and explains that being a vet is about people, animals, and the love and bond they share.

Dr. Amy Attas offers funny, heartwarming stories of New Yorkers both human and animal and explains that being a vet is about people, animals, and the love and bond they share.

Intelligence
Dog Smart: The Science and Secrets of Canine Intelligence

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on July 3, 2024

The new book Dog Smart unpacks social and emotional intelligence—dogs' multiple intelligences—based on evidence from trainers, guardians, researchers, and dogs' points of view.

The new book Dog Smart unpacks social and emotional intelligence—dogs' multiple intelligences—based on evidence from trainers, guardians, researchers, and dogs' points of view.