Can we know what animals are feeling? Scientists are looking at clever ways of exploring how other creatures feel. Some say it could change the way to treat them.
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The quest to know what makes a tortoise happy
Can we know what animals are feeling? Scientists are looking at clever ways of exploring how other creatures feel. Some say it could change the way to treat them.
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Sylvie cannot wait to get home and play with her puppy. The second she opens the door it comes running down the hall. What a happy animal!
Or is it? After all, it could be that the puppy is frustratedAnnoyed or upset, especially because you cannot change something. after being kept indoors. Sylvie might simply be thinking about it as if it is a human being.
This was the kind of problem raised at a meeting of veterinaryRelating to treating sick animals. students in the US last November. Teams had to think about whether tortoises were better off in a zoo with toys to play with or in the desertDry land where there is very little rain and few plants. where they naturally live.
One team argued that they were better off in the zoo. They would be safe and enjoy their toys. But the judges said wild animals can only truly do well away from humans.
The philosopherA thinker who comes up with ideas about big questions in life. Thomas Nagel says we can never tell what animals are feeling.
Others say we can, by watching them. It is easy to tell when an animal is scared, since it will freeze, run or shy away from danger.
A group of scientists recently used AIA computer programme that has been designed to think. to try to interpretExplain or decide on the meaning of something. the grunts of pigs. They claimed that they could tell what the animals were feeling 92% of the time.
Measuring an animal's heartbeat is another way. As with humans, an increased heart rate shows it feels fear or stressFeelings of worry or pressure. .
Can we know what animals are feeling?
Yes! It is easy to tell when an animal is excited or scared. And now scientists are backing up what we can see using new technology such as AI.
No! We often want to think of animals as having feelings just like us. But we actually know very little about how their minds work.
Frustrated - Annoyed or upset, especially because you cannot change something.
Veterinary - Relating to treating sick animals.
Desert - Dry land where there is very little rain and few plants.
Philosopher - A thinker who comes up with ideas about big questions in life.
AI - A computer programme that has been designed to think.
Interpret - Explain or decide on the meaning of something.
Stress - Feelings of worry or pressure.
The quest to know what makes a tortoise happy
Sedate: The Sonoran desert tortoise (above) plods its range, browsing wildflowers, scrub grasses and cactus. Glossary
Frustrated - Annoyed or upset, especially because you cannot change something.
Veterinary - Relating to treating sick animals.
Desert - Dry land where there is very little rain and few plants.
Philosopher - A thinker who comes up with ideas about big questions in life.
AI - A computer programme that has been designed to think.
Interpret - Explain or decide on the meaning of something.
Stress - Feelings of worry or pressure.