Review
Book Review: ‘Meet the Neighbors’ by Brandon Keim Compassionately Complicates the Narrative about Animals
A big-hearted and heavily researched exploration of what it means to treat animals with respect.
Science•8 min read
Sentience
Explainer
New Research on Animal Communication Reveals How Much We Still Don’t Understand
Recent studies on how animals ‘talk’ demonstrates their complexity.
Science•7 min read
Explainer
What Farm Animals’ Personalities Are Like When They’re Free
In a world filled with factory farms, it’s a rare scenario, but one worth examining.
Science•7 min read
Explainer
7 Animal Mother-Child Bonds That Take Protectiveness to the Next Level
From abnormally long gestation periods to assigning babysitters to remaining together for life, these bonds are some of the strongest.
Science•6 min read
Reported
What Do Animals and Insects Feel? Scientists Have Answers.
A decade of research on animal consciousness should influence their legal status, experts say.
Science•4 min read
Explainer
Do Plants Feel Pain? No, and Here’s How Scientists Know
It’s a question people love to throw at vegans and vegetarians — so here’s a thorough explanation.
Science•6 min read
Explainer
Fish Feel Pain, Science Shows — But Humans Are Reluctant To Believe It
The research that fish feel pain, explained.
Science•9 min read
Explainer
Cows Play and Have Best Friends — But Are Rarely Given the Chance
When it comes to cows’ feelings and preferences, humans can find plenty to relate to.
Science•9 min read
Explainer
Lobsters Feel Pain When Boiled Alive, and Here’s How Science Knows
The sentience of lobsters is being recognized by scientists — with ramifications for the culinary industry.
Science•8 min read
Explainer
Chickens Are Smart and Have Feelings, Contrary to ‘Bird Brain’ Stereotypes
Contrary to stereotypes, the science proves chickens are intelligent animals who suffer.
Science•10 min read
Explainer
5 Animals Who Grieve Just Like Humans
Magpies hold funerals and elephants travel to pay their respects.
Science•7 min read
Explainer
Pigs Are Intelligent and Clean Animals, Actually
Pigs suffer a bad reputation — but science shows they are smart, caring and even clean.
Science•10 min read
Reported
Why Do We Grieve One Kind of Cow but Not the Other?
The genetic link between orcas and cows might surprise you.
Science•4 min read
Explainer
The 30 Most Intelligent Animals in the World Might Surprise You
Ranging from huge to tiny, some of the smartest animals fly under the radar.
Science•13 min read
Explainer
Animals Reveal Their Intelligence in Surprising Ways
There are many types of intelligence in the animal kingdom, but human bias might mean we underestimate just how smart many animals are.
Science•6 min read
Explainer
What ‘Sentience’ Means, and Why the Concept Matters for Animals
The term means different things to different people, but here’s what you need to know.
Science•8 min read
Explainer
Are Orcas Smart Enough to Plot Against Humans? Their Intelligence, Explained
A series of seemingly coordinated attacks against fishing vessels has the public paying attention to orcas. Here’s what you need to know about this remarkable species.
Science•8 min read
Explainer
The Four Most Intelligent Insects
Research shows honeybees can do math. Meanwhile some ants are building massive underground fungi farms.
Science•5 min read
Analysis
Fish Pass the Mirror Test. Here’s What That Means.
A new study finds fish can recognize their own reflection and distinguish themselves from other fish.
Science•4 min read
Reported
New Study: How We Misjudge Animal Intelligence
We're curious about animal intelligence but we might not want to believe it.
Science•6 min read
Analysis
Wild Fish Feel Pain — But They Have No Welfare Protections
Commercial fishing methods are not designed for a quick or painless death.
Science•5 min read
Explainer
What Is Speciesism?
Speciesism is the idea that only humans are worthy of moral consideration.
Science•9 min read
Explainer
Just Like Puppies and Kittens, Young Chickens Like to Play Too
A new study found chickens are playful creatures who run, jump, wrestle and play with toys.
Science•4 min read
Reported
Bees Can Almost Certainly Feel Pain, According to Science
A new study shows bees not only experience pain but can make decisions about whether to endure pain for reward.
Science•4 min read
Explainer
Animals Benefit From a Mentally and Physically Stimulating Environment
Virtually every member of the animal kingdom benefits from a more mentally stimulating environment, especially zoo animals, cats, dogs, and even mice.
Science•8 min read
Explainer
What Is a Sentient Being? Here’s Why the Definition Is So Important
There are a number of different definitions for sentient beings. Here's how to navigate the complicated conversation around which animals are sentient and which are not.
Science•9 min read
Perspective
Animals Are More Sentient Than You Think
Commercial and cultural forces constantly work to deny the quality of sentience to non-human animals. Even when science clearly shows most animals are sentient, this denial is mainstream.
Science•7 min read
Perspective
Aquatic Animal Welfare Defined for the First Time
Major gaps exist currently in what “animal welfare” means for aquatic animals. The Aquatic Life Institute is leading the effort to help define what this looks like.
Science•2 min read
Explainer
Sentience: What It Means and Why It’s Important
Human sentience is widely understood and accepted, while the sentience of other species, including farmed animals, is increasingly recognized.
Science•4 min read
Analysis
Friend in Sea: Port Jackson Sharks are Smarter Than You Think
Sharks are magnificent creatures. But due to the animal's menacing depiction in movies and on the news, most humans overlook their complex nature.
Science•5 min read
Perspective
Chickens or Pigs: Would You Pick One to Suffer More?
In this guest post, United Poultry Concerns president and founder Karen Davis critiques an earlier editorial by Mikko Jarvenpaa and warns of the dangers of ranking animals by false measures…
Science•12 min read
Book Review: The Lives of Animals by J.M. Coetzee
J.M. Coetzee takes on a literary struggle with the moral distinction – or lack thereof – between human and animal suffering and death. Whether you agree with him or not, this…
Science•5 min read
Explainer
What Is Animal Intelligence?
The concept of animal intelligence has its roots in the theory of sentience, or an animal’s ability to experience both positive and negative emotions. Philosophers and scientists have debated the…
Science•1 min read
Reported
Sheep Remember Your Face. How Smart Are They?
The process of remembering and forgetting in humans works the same way. It’s face specific.
Science•1 min read
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