How Animals Understand Death

Animals and humans share a surprising connection when it comes to death, displaying complex reactions to loss that challenge our understanding of their cognitive and emotional capacities. In her book Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death, Susana Monsó, an associate professor of philosophy at the National University of Distance Education in Madrid, explores how different species perceive and respond to death in ways that are both similar to and distinct from humans.

Across the animal kingdom, responses to death vary widely. Some animals exhibit behaviors that appear to be expressions of grief. For instance, primate mothers, such as chimpanzees, have been observed carrying their deceased offspring for extended periods. In one documented case, a chimpanzee was even seen cleaning the teeth of a dead adolescent in the group. Another was observed “play-parenting” the corpse of a member from another species, further suggesting complex emotional responses.

Elephants are known for their unique reactions to death. There have been reports of elephants displaying intense interest in the bodies of their deceased companions, and in one unusual case, elephant calves were found buried within tea estates in India. Some speculated that this was the work of other elephants, showing not only awareness but also what could be interpreted as a form of ritual behavior. These observations beg the question: what do these behaviors say about the animal mind?

While animals display behaviors that indicate an understanding of death, it’s crucial to distinguish how this awareness differs from that of humans. Monsó highlights that humans live in a world shaped by culture and symbolism. Rituals, religious beliefs, and societal norms create a framework that guides human perspectives on death. In contrast, animals do not have this cultural scaffolding. Their understanding of death is likely shaped by individual experiences, each one navigating this reality based on their own history and encounters with loss.

One key area of interest is whether animals recognize the finality of death. Do they comprehend that death means an irreversible cessation of life? While it’s impossible to know for certain what animals think, their behavior suggests that some species may grasp this concept at a cognitive level. The emotional significance of death is also evident, though it manifests in ways unique to each species. Much like humans, some animals show signs of grief, while others seem indifferent.

Interpreting animal behavior without projecting human emotions onto them is a delicate balance. Anthropomorphism, the tendency to attribute human characteristics to animals, can skew our understanding of their actions. Yet, Monsó also warns against going too far in the opposite direction—what some call anthropectomy—the assumption that animals are incapable of any human-like psychological processes simply because they are not human. Both approaches can lead to misconceptions about how animals perceive and process death.

Despite the challenges, Monsó believes that studying animal behavior in the context of death is valuable. Even though we may never fully understand the workings of an animal’s mind, research continues to provide insights that bring us closer to understanding their cognitive and emotional worlds.

While much of the research on animal death comes from biological or psychological fields, Monsó approaches it from a philosophical angle. She argues that philosophy plays a critical role in science, guiding the questions researchers ask and shaping the interpretation of data. Philosophers help ensure that scientific inquiries remain grounded in clear conceptual thinking and that potential biases are examined. By bringing philosophical scrutiny into animal studies, Monsó encourages a more nuanced exploration of how animals engage with death.

Monsó’s work offers a fresh perspective on death, both for humans and animals. As she reflects on her own views on mortality, she notes that studying death has allowed her to come to terms with it in a more peaceful way. By normalizing death as an inevitable part of life, she suggests, we can begin to accept it without fear. Her findings propose that by recognizing our shared mortality with animals, we might better cope with the reality of our own inevitable end.

Latest Petitions to Sign:

• Petition: Tell Microsoft to Find A Safer and More Eco-Friendly Power Station to Power Its Data Centers
• Petition: Urge Authorities in Australia to Educate the Public on How to Interact with Wildlife
• Petition: Hold ExxonMobil Accountable for Deceptive Claims About Plastic Recycling
• Petition: Demand Accountability for Groomer Who Killed a Client’s Dog
• Petition: Demand Accountability for Texas Teacher Who Instructed Students to Staple a Live Cat
• Petition: Help Ban the Manufacture and Sale of Kangaroo Leather Products in the United States
• Petition: Hold RFK Jr. Accountable for Illegally Decapitating a Whale with a Chainsaw!
• Petition: Tell Authorities to Address the Harmful Consequences of the Border Wall for Wildlife and Humans
• Petition: Help Ensure the Safety of Koala Populations in Australia from Fire Ants
• Petition: Tell Biden to Reinstate Federal Protections for Gray Wolves

Related Content:

• This Cat Mourning Will Bring You to Tears [VIDEO]
• Rescue Shelter Mourning Loss of Dog After Someone Breaks in and Steals Her
• ‘Our Connection Was Purely Divine’ Says Miley Cyrus Mourning the Death of Her Pit Bull
• Pig Mourning Loss of Close Friend Is a Touching Reminder of How Emotionally Intelligent These Animals Are (VIDEO)
• Emotional Video of Donkeys Mourning Their Friend Will Change How You View These Animals

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!