Chimpanzees correct cultural biases about how good mothers behave
A philosopher observes chimpanzee mothers and their infants interact, realising how cultural our ideals of motherhood are
by Maria Botero
Animals
A basic sense of numbers is shared by countless creatures
Birds, bees, cats and other animals have an ability to use numbers. How can this help us understand people with dyscalculia?
by Brian Butterworth
You can think like an animal by silencing your chattering brain
The desire is partly whimsical, but a brief shapeshift across the taxonomic gulf could help us better empathise with animals
by Bryony Tolhurst
What our use of animal-based slurs and endearments says about us
The image of the adorable kitten and the insult of calling someone a ‘pussy’ have more in common than you might realise
by David Egan
Human exceptionalism imposes horrible costs on other animals
We owe it to other animals and to ourselves to resist human exceptionalism. Accepting their inner lives is the first step
by Barbara J King
Why, in a universe of pain, I’m saving stranded earthworms
Any action can seem futile amid so much suffering. I’ve realised the important thing is to stop despairing and do something
by Claire E Schultz
If animals are persons, should they bear criminal responsibility?
Were medieval trials of animal criminals not a sign of backwardness, but in fact strangely progressive?
by Ed Simon
From the rhythms of the dying day to a cosmic journey of transformation
Directed by Simon Feat
Grey whales taught me how to mother, how to endure, how to live
When I was in crisis, grey whales taught me how to mother and how to endure, till I could find my own paths through change
by Doreen Cunningham
Babies and chicks help solve one of psychology’s oldest puzzles
From the beginning of life, both humans and other species can grasp important characteristics of the world around them
by Giorgio Vallortigara
Learn to tune into birdsong – respite and fascination await
Listening deeply to the sounds of birds is a powerful form of meditation and a first step towards a rewarding new hobby
by David M Logue
The search for life beyond Earth is peculiar, from a parrot’s perspective
Directed by Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla
A vast, thrilling world of nature unfolds outside of human time
Human life might stretch over decades, but the lifespans of many other organisms on this pale blue dot leave us in the dust
by Nicholas P Money
After a mental health crisis, Karin finds peace among her beloved horses
Directed by Mimi Wilcox and Victor Tadashi Suarez
My cancer scars map the pain of animals held in research labs
The scars on my body are a constant reminder of why I’ve turned from scholarship on animals to agitating for animals
by Barbara J King
Same-sex sexual behaviour in mammals evolved to keep the peace
Although these new findings can’t tell us much about human sexuality, they could help to solve an evolutionary paradox
by Shayla Love