Do you think we're the only animals that know were going to die some day?

SnowBunnySmanger · May 2012

Inspired by this video

Cats and dogs alike seem so content with simple stuff and so occupied with things we consider insignificant or stupid and primitive.

I wonder if we truly are the only species that understands these kinds of things

I would think that if an animal were to be sick they may have an understanding of death, but an animal born in domestication or captivity that has never witnessed death may not ever have experience of it and may not even know they may be facing death in times of great sickness or injury..

anyone ever think of this?

Tru_Hitta · May 2012

thats some deep shit&i have no idea but i gotta think about this one

In Your Moms Room · May 2012

Yes i do. They have instincts. They know when they are in danger, they no if they are in a situation were they could get hurt or die.

ChromaStoned · May 2012

we can contemplate our death

fiat_money · May 2012

Nah.

Word to Elliot B. & James Two.

damobb2deep · May 2012

why u think animals run away from predators... they kno...

NothingButTheTruth · May 2012

Humans aren't animals.

SnowBunnySmanger · May 2012

damobb2deep wrote: »

why u think animals run away from predators... they kno...

This doesn't necessarily mean they understand death, maybe they just understand fear and pain and wish to avoid that..

I like that argument though. If all there was to fear was pain and fear then animals would not duck predators in the way they do

however, maybe instinct is more responsible for that reaction than understanding of death

damobb2deep · May 2012

most understand also because i'm pretty sure they have seen somthing die or have hunted..

Law Trafalgar · May 2012

cats are the shit

cobbland · May 2012

^^^^^I'm not ashamed to admit I cried while watching this clip.

The full episode is on PBS online

Born Wild: The First Days of Life
Full Episode

From the moment of birth, baby animals in the wild can face almost anything – from a large social group of interested caregivers to complete abandonment. Yet all wild babies share some things in common – they must learn whom to trust, what to fear, and when to act – all in the first days of life. Watch the full episode. Video is available until May 9, 2012 and is limited to U.S. & Territories. This program premiered November 1, 2009.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/born-wild-the-first-days-of-life/full-episode/5329/

Makaveli Joker · May 2012

Animals go to private hideout to die. Theres a reason you dont see dead deer scattered everywhere

DreadsRIGHT · May 2012

Not unless they witness death or see a dead body themselves do they know they will die eventually. Shit its the same for us....

memphis10 · May 2012

Animals I think are more aware of their mortality. considering that they are food for each other and road kill

OceanState · May 2012

pretty deep question, which i didnt realize when i first saw the thread title. i dont think animals ever think of their death until they are in immediate danger

Tommy_Milfhitta · May 2012

I think they are aware just as we are. As kids we didn't kno wat death is, until it was taught 2 us or until we witnessed the death of another. Same with animals I think they have the mental capacity to know and understand death. I would find it rather odd for animals to have survival instinct (which all do) and yet still be oblivious to the concept of death.

SixSickSins · May 2012

I don't think they quite grasp the concept of mortality--just fear, pain, and avoidance.

edwardnigma · May 2012

Animals can be so Interesting...I believe that animals understand Death because they mourn and get depressed when one of their own dies or even an owner if it's a domesticated animal.

I've seen a dog stay where an owner died for like a week just sad barely eating.

I've seen a lion go into seclusion after its cubs were killed on National Geographic.

I know some animals can sense when natural disasters are going to occur and if they are in the wild they will flee...

So who fucking knows, animals may be able to see the deceased if they truly do remain here...man I don't know, an animal would have to start talking for us to know some of this shit.....

more mysteries of the world I suppose.

VIBE · May 2012

Animals are very aware of death, it's visible they are when you watch them. When a close friend or family member dies they do mourn, they're depressed, they will hardly eat, etc. There's animals that lay by the dead animal until help arrives. They know to avoid danger.

I don't think they think about it or they think of it on our level but they understand death.

randomStalker2 · May 2012

all animals know they might die someday.
that's why they all have survival techniques.
they reproduce, they eat other animals, they learn to hide, they know that everyday might be the day they die.

loch121 · May 2012

they kill if they eat meat so they understand what happens when your not alive, because they kill.IDK about animals that eat plants, but instinct usually makes a animal know not to jump from a balcony in a high rise or Apt.deep question

That cat video is hilarious "Holy Christ it's a piece of paper"

Sadly they understand death about as much as we do

Cabana_Da_Don · May 2012

The_Maryvale_Joker wrote: »

Animals go to private hideout to die. Theres a reason you dont see dead deer scattered everywhere

Interesting.

shtoopid · May 2012

i doubt it. every animal seen death at some point, so they gotta be aware of it

The Douce · May 2012

Lol that dude cried. You must have been in fucking fetal position when scar chucked mufasa off that rock

BoldChild · May 2012

Nah.

I know I will die someday.

CopperKing · May 2012

Elephants do...

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Do you think we're the only animals that know were going to die some day?

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