Instant Genius How to listen to what animals are trying to say
Nov 28, 2025
In this engaging discussion, naturalist and author Amelia Thomas dives into the fascinating world of animal communication. She reveals how dogs have evolved their barks to express needs to humans and explores the emotional complexities of smaller creatures like cockroaches. Amelia emphasizes the importance of tone in understanding animal vocalizations and shares insights on how listening to animal sounds can enrich our lives. From dolphin whistles to pig vocalizations, she highlights the interconnectedness of all species and the value of being attentive to nature.
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Communication Views Have Fluctuated
- Human views of animal communication have swung between extremes over history.
- Today the question is less if animals communicate and more how much and what they can convey.
Emotion Exists At Small Scales
- 'Emotional primitives' are basic capacities like fear, pain or attraction found even in insects.
- Researchers observed these primitives in cockroaches and fruit flies, showing minimal emotion-like states in tiny creatures.
Tailor Tests To Species' Senses
- Theory of mind tests ask whether animals see themselves as separate individuals.
- Mirror tests work for some species but must be tailored to each species' sensory world to be meaningful.
