• stebo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    4 months ago

    they obviously have emotions, just a bit less complex ones, but it’s pretty clear they’re not just robots

    • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Just because we understand their emotions only on a basic level doesn’t mean they’re not more complicated.

      There is a lot we don’t understand and can’t understand.

        • samus12345@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          If size is what matters, then whales, elephants, and dolphins all have more complex brains than humans.

          • MonkderDritte@feddit.de
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            4 months ago

            Their neurons are bigger tho. The odd case are bird brains; they work a bit different than mammalian but are as smart as ravens in a small package, while human neurons are as small as physically can be.

          • stebo@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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            4 months ago

            Elephants are the smartest land animals on earth and the complexity of their brains is comparable to that of humans. This is also clearly reflected in their behaviour. They are able to communicate with body language within their own species and even with humans, and a recent study has shown they even give each other names.

            Dolphins and whales are also pretty smart, so yes, size is a big part of what matters.

        • bitchkat@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          So you’re saying my 10 lb jack russell has less complex brain than a Labrador Retriever?

        • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          I figured some of the larger species have some basic emotions. My preying mantis could certainly let me know if she was irritated, though I never really saw a “happy” as much as “content.”

          My tarantula and I never managed to talk to one another.

          • Lightfire228@pawb.social
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            4 months ago

            I don’t understand non-mammalian pets

            Why have a tarantula that you just look at, instead of a Golden retriever to goof off with?

            • homicidalrobot@lemm.ee
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              4 months ago

              I was of this opinion until I moved in with my partner who had a bearded dragon. Reptiles move strangely, but this bearded dragon had been a classroom pet for the first few years of her life, and was surprisingly social. She’d make eye contact, gesture with her body, present her head to be gently pet around the bristles, and even flip over to be rubbed on the belly like a dog if she was not currently or just finished eating. Responsive with body language to some specific one or two syllable words like her name or the words for mealtime, and very aware of visual cues (like any of the objects she was handed a mealworm from, even just once).

              I imagine a tarantula probably has some behaviors that would surprise me if it was conditioned as a pet and socialized, I know they have a fair number of ways aside from the bite to show displeasure or anxiety like flicking hairs and quickly shuffling away to show a defensive posture. I think it could be a fun experience and wouldn’t turn my nose up at it instantly these days if the opportunity came along; animal cooperation is a small joy even when it’s a bit foreign.

            • AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world
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              4 months ago

              Por que no los dos?

              The golden retriever was named Tahereh.

              I also had mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, and cats. Parents had a nice farm.