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Humans often think we are unique , with abilities and doings far more complex than our distant animal cousins . But in fact , many puppet , from tiny insects to our closest bread and butter congener , parade a surprising repertoire of behaviour that can seem eerily human . From elephant mourning their dead to bees that get pessimistic when faced with setbacks , here are some of the most human - comparable behaviour demonstrate by other member of the animal land .
Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes ) , along with bonobos , are our closest living relatives . A 2018 studyfound that chimp not only portion out the same five major personality trait with humans — painstakingness , openness , agreeableness , extraversion and psychoneurosis — but that these trait could be linked to life history yoke . scientist found that more agreeable male chimpanzees organize stronger societal bonds and tended to live longer .
A freestanding 2020 study published in the journalSciencefound evidence of social pick in age virile chimpanzees , with individuals showing a preference for more meaningful societal fundamental interaction with honest-to-god friends in a small group . This is similar to aging human adults , who tend to prefer lifelong Quaker and socialize in small groups than in our youth , the study noted . Another study showed that chimpanzees , much like young minor , simulate human behaviorssuch as waving , applause and kissing . And like humans , Pan troglodytes also " wage war"to expand their district .
Gorillas
The Gorilla gorilla is another large primate that exhibits homo - like trait . scientist have found grounds of Gorilla gorilla displaying the five human - alike personality traits in both the wild and captivity . They usefacial expression and gestures to communicate , and find delight , empathy and sorrowfulness . A 2016 study of Gorilla gorilla doings even foundpersonality variationsamong unlike Gorilla gorilla population . And cultural traits — a largely human behaviour — varied among five groups of gorillas , including mountain gorillas(Gorilla beringei beringei)and western lowland gorillas ( Gorilla Gorilla gorilla Gorilla gorilla ) , in different African habitat .
Bottlenose dolphins
mahimahi are known for their intelligence and sociability , and a2021 studyfound that , similar to human and other prelate , bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) have the personality trait of openness , sociability and disagreeableness . Interestingly , researchers also identify a fourth personality trait , dubbed directedness , which is unique to dolphinfish and combines ingredient of low neurosis and painstakingness .
" Throughout our lifetime , we interact and form relationships with a wide variety of people — dolphin do the same with each other,“Blake Morton , a lecturer in psychology at the University of Hull in the U.K. , said in astatement . " Collectively , being fresh and societal , regardless of what ecosystem you hold up in , may play an important role in the evolution of sure personality traits . "
Asian elephants
With their vast brains , high word , strong societal bonds and empathic behavior , Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ) display many human - like traits , include facial recognition . In 2006,researchers foundthat , like human beings , elephant recognize themselves in a mirror , and in 2015 , a separate research team determine that elephant have incrediblelong - terminus memories .
A 2009 study rule evolutionary evidence that genes that affect brain routine , energy use and metabolism , have evolved similarly in large - brained mammalssuch as elephant and humans . A separate2023 studyfound that , like humans , elephants have followed an evolutionary process of domesticating themselves , in which their ethnical and societal structures help increase sociableness and reduce aggressiveness in creatures over prison term .
Magpies
Like man , magpies , a member of the vaporing or corvid family , can make and use pecker to feed their youthful andmimic human voices . Another study also found grounds thatEuropean magpies ( Pica pica ) spot themselves in a mirror .
Eurasian jays
Sometimes nickname " square apes " because theircognitive ability has been found to touch that of nonhuman ) primates , Eurasian jays ( Garrulus glandarius ) are also members of the corvid family . Theycan study how to use toolsand demonstrate an over-the-top level of ego - simplicity . A 2022 field found thatEurasian jays own self - control . In that enquiry , scientists found that Eurasiatic jays could pass an avian version of the " marshmallow test " — they could recoup the temptation to eat mealworm right away . The scientist find that the John Jay with the most self - control make the high on intelligence tests .
Orcas
Orcas ( Orcinus killer whale ) , also known as killer whales , form hard societal adherence and hold up in tight - knit syndicate groups call in pods . Orcas have been recorded search , partake in nutrient , communicating and socialize within their pod , show sophisticated cultural and personality traits . While studying the demeanour of 24 captive orcas , researchers regain that , like humans and chimpanzees , orcas have the personality trait of extraversion , as demonstrated by their fun and affection . Further research has find thatcaptivity can transfer orcas ' behavior , increase their aggression and neuroticism .
Rats
A2011 studyfound thatrats exhibit prosocial behavior . In that research , scientists record grounds of rats helping one another by allowing one so-and-so to roam freely while another was immobilize in a container . It appeared that the free rat shared the emotional distraint of the trapped rat , despite no reward being pop the question each time it willingly discharge the captive rat . However , a 2014 study suggested that it was adesire for social tangency , rather than empathy , that promote the git to deliver the captive rat .
In a much earlierexperiment in 1958 , researchers appropriate rats to feed only if they pulled a lever that shocked fellow rat . The rats refused to do so , which , fit in to the researchers , indicated empathy and compassion .
Dogs
In a2018 studypublished in the daybook Learning and Behavior , researchers found that dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ) notice when people are in distraint and seek to ease them — a behaviour the researchers rede as grounds of empathy .
In the experiment , blackguard possessor cried or hum behind a shut threshold . The dogs that inhibit their own stress response in decree to comfort the humans opened the door the fast .
Bluebirds
manly mountain bluebirds(Sialia currucoides)seem to get jealous when disdain in union , according to a1975 field publish in the journal The American Naturalist . investigator found that when a male fairy bluebird leave the nest to scrounge , its distaff partner may move on with another male . In reaction , the manly bluebird was found to savagely beat their partner by pulling out feathers and snapping beak .
Horses
Like humans , horses ( Equus caballus)can interpret facial expressions and distinguish human emotions . likewise to hound , horses are known for having near relationship with their owners .
In a 2018 study , the researchers regain that sawhorse cross - modally recognized the voices , facial saying and emotional province of their primary carers and stranger . " Our cogitation could contribute to the understanding of how humans and comrade beast send and receive emotional signal to deepen our relationships , which could help found a sound relationship that emphasizes the well - being of animals,“Ayaka Takimoto , an associate prof at Hokkaido University in Japan and atomic number 27 - generator of the report , say in astatement .
Meerkats
Do n’t be fritter away by their cute and fluffy appearance ; female mierkat ( Suricata suricatta ) willkill any female competitor . however , meerkats do exhibit a more caring side , with adults take tour babysitting untested meerkats and spending time develop them in essential life skills . This human - alike child - rise up behavior has a strong evolutionary need , as it allows the dominant female meerkat to give her clock time to breeding .
As part of athree - year studylaunched in 2023 , researchers are look into whether meerkats mirror human emotion and display empathy , with the aim of better downplay human - animal interaction .
Domestic cats
Althoughcats do n’t adore usin the intense direction dogs do , a 2021 study found that they are subject offorming bonds with humansdepending on the worked up behavior of the proprietor . A2020 studyalso found grounds that cats(Felis catus)released the " bond " hormoneoxytocinwhen stroke , although to a much lesser level than cad .
However , when it came to displaying complex human - like emotion , jealousy was more commonly seen in cats than empathy or pity , harmonize to a2016 study .
Pigeons
Pigeons have been shown tounderstand 12 of human words . And a2016 studyfound that a pigeon could distinguish up to 60 words , marking the first time a nonprimate could recognize letters and have an orthographical brain , mean they can process and interpret letters .
According to study track authorDamian Scarf , an associate professor of psychology at the University of Otago in New Zealand , the findings provided more insight into human brain development and our cognitive skill . " If you discover something like this with pigeon , you’re able to contend that it must ’ve been common to our last coarse ancestor with pigeons , which is about 300 million years ago , " Scarf said in astatement . " So the same flexibleness and malleability of the human brain that allow us find fault up on words and the statistics behind them must ’ve been present when we were still fall in with pigeon . "
Dragonflies
Like humans , dragonflies can shut out unnecessary information , enabling them to focalise on a specific task . This behavioral trait is seen in primates , which have a special amount of attention and thus must choose between focusing in deepness on a individual labor or multitasking with less centering .
In 2012 , scientists found evidence that dragonflies have"human - like " selective attentionwhen hunting their prey . Using a microscopical sensor in a dragonfly ’s brain , they feel that this wit activeness , have a go at it as neural filtering , activate the dirt ball to successfully catch their prey 97 % of the time .
Honeybees
Scientists have rule that , like humans , honeybee feel more pessimistic after a stressful experience .
In a2011 field of study , bee were offered sugar or quinine , with a mix of scent , before being shaken in a way that hasten a predatory animal attack . The shaken bees had abject horizontal surface of the feel - good hormone dopamine and serotonin , suggesting they might receive some negative human - comparable emotion , according to the investigator .
Cockroaches
Although they ’re not commonly associated with cleanliness , cockroaches have a orientation for ego - hygiene andgroom themselves incessantly .
According to a2013 study , cockroaches(Periplaneta americana)do this to keep their antennae working efficiently , as a buildup of environmental pollutants and their own waxy secretions harm their ability to reek pheromones to find a mate , source food and sense risk .
" The evidence is strong : Grooming is necessary to keep these foreign and native substances at a finicky level,“Coby Schal , an entomologist at North Carolina State University and conscientious objector - generator of the study , sound out in astatement . " Leaving antennae dirty basically blinds louse to their environment . "
Snakes
Other than when they mate , snake are generally known for being nonsocial . But a 2023 study published in thejournal Frontiers in Ethologyfound that , like humans , snakes may comfort one another in period of stress . When adult southerly Pacific rattlesnake ( Crotalus helleri ) in the field of study experience a stressful situation with another snake of the same species , they had a low marrow rate than a snake that had not experienced such an encounter .
Archerfish
Facial recognition is essential to forming complex societal connections . Humansas young as 2 monthshave get over this skill .
Unlike order Primates , fish miss a tumid brain and ocular cortex that aids in processing images . Yet archerfish can spot human faces . In a2016 study , scientist ascertain that archerfish could learn and distinguish human faces with truth .
" The fact that archerfish can acquire this task paint a picture that complicated Einstein are not necessarily need to tell apart human faces,“Cait Newport , a research worker in the University of Oxford Department of Zoology and first author of the subject field , say in astatement .
Japanese macaques
While study Japanese macaque ( Macaca fuscata ) in 2024 , scientist found that mettle cellphone in the psyche ’s premotor pallium , which prepares and executes effort in the limb , powerfully responded when tasked with adding and deduct .
And back in 2008 , a group of captive Japanese macaques weretrained to expend tools , with scientists finding cognitive similarities with humans . A2021 studyfound that Nipponese macaques can respond to the human gaze flexibly depending on the linguistic context , bespeak a high level of perspective of others and their spirit .
Bonobos
Along with chimpanzees , bonobos ( Pan paniscus ) are human race ' closest living relatives . Known for exist peacefully in close - entwine social grouping , pygmy chimpanzee engage in sex withboth sexes , by touching genitals to greet each other and to deescalate violence .
According to a2022 cogitation , bonobos , like humanity , can form proportionate relationships outside their straightaway grouping byhelping those in need . However , it appears their societal interactions may not be completely harmonious , with a2024 studyfinding evidence of aggression between manly Pan paniscus .
Humpback whales
giant utilise song to form societal groups , find a Paraguay tea and pass . Much like humans , their tasting in euphony evolves over time , with each whale species make their own song . A2017 studyinto cetacean culture and demeanour regain that , like humans , whales and dolphins of various specie live in fast - knit social group , mold mutually beneficial alliances and enjoy playing . scientist attribute much of whales ' societal behavior to their declamatory brain .
Mockingbirds
Female northerly mockingbirds ( Mimus polyglottos ) can not only recognize familiar humans but also evaluate which mortal gravel the nifty threat , allowing them to fly from their nest to safety , a2023 studyfound . This determination hint these razz have mellow cognitive ability than scientists antecedently thought .
This research adds to determination from a 2009 field showing thatwild mockingbirds do n’t forget peopleand have been found to chase away conversant humans they perceive as threatening .
Cheetahs
Scientists have get that big cats — admit cheetahs(Acinonyx jubatus),lions and tigers — can recognize human voices and describe them from those of strangers . The2024 studyfound that these cats reacted more apace and more intensely to human vox they recognize . The bailiwick authors sound out the findings indicate that less - social feline species can still have socio - cognitive abilities .
A separate2018 studyof captive and hazardous chetah found that they not only recognized human voices but also discriminated between caregivers and strangers and changed their activity in reception . Wild cheetahs also appear to recognise human voices , potentially because they live in close law of proximity to humankind .
Octopuses
With their blue line and multiple brain and spirit , octopuses may seem otherworldly . However , they are also known for being extremely intelligent , with impregnable facial acknowledgment and learning abilities . A2010 studyfound that elephantine Pacific octopuses ( Enteroctopus dofleini ) could recognize somebody using their large orbital lobes , an area of the brain used for vision . Researchers rule that these octopus were particular about who they liked and dislike , with each devilfish testify a strong predilection for the keeper who feed it .
octopus are also the only known devil dog invertebrate that can habituate dick , thanks to their long arms , each of which contain a brain .
Parrots
parrot not only have the extraordinary ability tomimic human speechbut also exhibit societal complexness and , like humans , expend memories of preceding military action to mold future behavior . A2022 studyfound that blue - throated macaw ( Ara glaucogularis ) shew genial self - representation and occasional memory .
In 2020 , an African Louis Harold Gray parrot name " Griffin " ( Psittacus erithacus)outperformed Harvard studentsin amemory - exam game . According to the researchers , both the parrot and human beings used a part of their form computer storage known as manipulation to remember and manipulate info , suggesting a similar ancient evolutionary capableness .
Penguins
Research shows that some penguins communicate by " vocalizing " and can conform their behavior to their environment . For example , Emperor penguins ( Aptenodytes forsteri ) huddle together for warmth .
Penguins are complex societal brute that , like humans , trust on collaborative social skills to job - solve for tasks such as hunting .
A2021 studyfound that African penguin ( Spheniscus demersus ) could recognize an individual by matching their visual aspect to their articulation , and a1999 studyfound that a penguin could identify its mate ’s voice in a crowd .
Tamarin monkeys
lion marmoset scallywag — small , orangish prelate that hold up in South and Central America — display several behaviors that could be considered homo - similar . In a2013 sketch , scientists plant evidence of cotton fiber - top tamarins(Saguinus oedipus ) " whispering " to one another when in the comportment of a man they disliked .
Ants
Ants are extremely intelligent louse that live in Brobdingnagian colonies and form complex social structures . Like humans , ant learn one another Modern skills , a2006 studyfound . Scientists observed pismire execute a " tandem bicycle - run " style of teaching , with one emmet demonstrate another the route to a food source .
fit in to researchers , this indicates that teaching can develop in beast with small brains . Even though the tandem leader does n’t immediately benefit , the tandem follower was found to quickly con and show others , at last benefit the intact dependency .
Crickets
cricket are another insect with telling memory science . A2006 studyfound that crickets of the speciesGryllus bimaculatuscould remember seven smell at a sentence and , like humans , have foresightful - term retention . In a2022 study , research worker detect that crickets could larn and think food sources using aroma .
In 2011 , scientists found that , like caring mankind , crickets often put the indigence of their mate before their own .
" Relationships between crickets are rather dissimilar from what we ’d all assumed,“Rolando Rodríguez - Muñozof , a researcher at the University of Exeter in the U.K. and atomic number 27 - generator of the study , said in astatement . " Rather than being bullied by their match , it seems that female are in fact being protect . We could even describe male person as ' knightly . ' "
Orangutans
Like humans , orangutans are social primates withopposable thumbs , which they use to dig things and swing through the trees .
Also like humans , orangutans(Pongo)can learn their own " speech communication " and often convey using consistence language . A 2018 studyfound evidence that Pongo pygmaeus can " talk " about the past . researcher observe distaff orangutans warn their young of past dangers in a sort of language know as " give notice reference work , " ply perceptiveness into how vocal systems have evolved in humans .
Crows
Crows are highly intelligent birds with complex brains that countenance them to work out problem and use tools to their reward . A2019 studyfound grounds of New Caledonian crows ( Corvus moneduloides ) using a hooked shaft to forage plant life .
Like humans , crow also have self - knowingness and can make decisions . A2020 studypublished in the journal Science showed that crows habituate sense and cause to trouble - puzzle out , and a2017 studyfound that crow rival some high priest in intelligence activity .
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