Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Make it Lady on 16/07/2010 19:36:57

Title: Do animals play games for fun or for survival practise?
Post by: Make it Lady on 16/07/2010 19:36:57

Click on the link below to see toucans play Kerplunk.

 http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent_messenger/news/2010/june/4/toucans_kerplunk_fun.aspx

They are doing it to get food out of a container.

But see these Gorillas playing tag

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10617311

Are they doing it for survival practise or do you think they are just having fun?

Title: Do animals play games for fun or for survival practise?
Post by: neilep on 16/07/2010 20:44:57

.

 [ Invalid Attachment ]


 [;D]

Title: Do animals play games for fun or for survival practise?
Post by: Geezer on 17/07/2010 06:08:16

We have a Cairn and a Scottie. They play a really wild chase game where the Scottie takes off round the garden at high speed with the Cairn in pursuit. The Scottie then flips on to her back without stopping and the Cairn trips over her, whereupon she playfully grabs one of his legs in her jaws.

It's highly entertaining to watch and it's obviously a game, but I have a sneaking suspicion the Scottie instinctively does this so she can eviscerate larger animals that might be chasing her.

Title: Do animals play games for fun or for survival practise?
Post by: Make it Lady on 18/07/2010 21:29:33

Thanks boys. I like watching my kittens play but that is hunting and mating practise. Do you think human games might be survival games too, but we don't think about it that way?

Title: Re: Do animals play games for fun or for survival practise?
Post by: Monox D. I-Fly on 30/09/2019 04:34:39

Quote from: Make it  Lady on 18/07/2010 21:29:33

Do you think human games might be survival games too, but we don't think about it that way?

Well, human games keep our brain sharp, and we need that to survive too.