Why does every animal deserve kindness?
We learn more about the rich emotions and behaviours of different animals every day. Evidence from scientific studies has helped us to understand that a wide range of animals are sentient beings. This means they have the capacity to experience positive and negative feelings such as pleasure, joy, pain and distress.
Many animals have their own personalities and quirks, just like humans do. Here are some striking facts about the animal kingdom that may surprise you.
Bees communicate with a 'waggle dance'
Honey bees share information about where to find food and shelter by performing a special ‘waggle dance’. Depending on the direction they dance in and how long it lasts, their nestmates can work out where to go.
Bees memorise a lot on a daily basis. They can fly up to 10 km away from home but have to be able to reliably find their way back because they would die on their own. Honey bees play an important part in our ecosystems. By pollinating a wide range of plants, they help maintain biodiversity. About one third of the food we eat depends on pollinators like honey bees.
Foxes have strong family bonds
Why do some people welcome ‘cute’ animals like hedgehogs or birds into their gardens, but see foxes, badgers or rats as pests?
Male and female foxes form a partnership that often lasts for life. Although they hunt and feed separately, they regularly meet to groom each other and play.
When they have cubs, other family members may help with childcare, such as guarding the den or bringing in food. Some young foxes stay with their parents for a few years.
Foxes have over 40 different sounds to communicate how they’re feeling. People who’ve rescued foxes report that foxes can make a giggling sound when interacting with humans. Foxes even wag their tails when they’re happy, just like dogs.
Goldfish have excellent memories
There’s evidence that goldfish have a long term memory of at least 6 months. This is very important from a welfare perspective, as people who believe that goldfish have a three-second memory may also believe that this means they don't need a good quality living environment, or that they’ll immediately forget pain or distress.
My all time bugbear is the myth that goldfish have a three-second memory, they actually have excellent memories and can learn to navigate mazes.
Chickens can feel empathy
Chickens are naturally curious and sociable birds. They make around 30 different noises to communicate. A mother hen will show signs of distress at the sight of her chicks in distress, showing the foundations of empathy.
They have good problem solving skills and great long-term memories and can recognise over 100 different faces, even after being separated for extended periods of time. They don’t just recognise other hens – but can identify different humans as well.
Sadly, around 90 percent of the billion chickens farmed in the UK for meat each year are bred to grow too quickly. Most of these are reared in dimly lit, crowded conditions with little room to move around freely and perform natural behaviours like perching, preening and ‘dustbathing’. Help us raise welfare standards by joining our Better Chicken campaign.
Cows get the zoomies, just like dogs
Putting dairy cows out to pasture in the springtime is called ‘turnout’, and it’s a joy to behold! After spending months indoors, the cows are delighted to be out in the fresh air. You’ll see them frolicking and kicking their legs in excitement – just like when dogs get the ‘zoomies’.
Some farms keep cows in sheds all year, so they never get to experience the great outdoors. However, RSPCA Assured farms make sure they can enjoy the basic freedom of running around in a field. Cows will chase each other and play with balls. Cows can even have best friends, who they’ll walk with and sleep alongside – given the space and freedom to do so.