Do Animals Cry?

Animals may and do cry. Technical examples of crying include a bird’s unique cry or the shedding tears. However, animals cry for different reasons and in different ways than humans. We’ll examine animals’ emotions and see if they cry the same way as us to answer the question, “Do animals cry?”

Do Animals Cry?

It is a fact that animals cry. It is not common for animals to cry at the same moment they are crying. Animals usually tear their pupils to lubricate them. They likely want to conceal any emotions that might make them vulnerable in the wild. This is Darwinian survival of the fittest. However, animals can show many emotions and may cry for their reasons.

Important to remember that pet owners often claim that their pets cry and shed tears simultaneously. Darwin believed elephants and apes wept. This phenomenon has been observed. Modern scientists believe that humans are the only species that can experience genuine emotional distress and even cry. Why is this?

Tears of Joy and Sorrow

According to scientists and experts, we are the only animal capable of creating emotions. To explain this, a hypothesis called “tears-by-association” has been proposed. In the evolutionary past, babies squeezed their eyes while screaming for their mothers. It could be because they were afraid of what they would see. It caused tears to flow when the lachrymal glands were squeezed. This association process allowed all kinds of pain and suffering to be connected by squeezing the eyes and releasing tears.

Crying without tears

Four young Eurasian Jay chicks. They are almost entirely blind and naked and dependent on their parents.

Science has shown that all mammals can make distress sounds. This happens when a baby is separated from its mother or injured. A human newborn can cry until its mother arrives. Wild animals use distress signals and calls to alert their family members when in danger. Both can be considered ‘crying for help’, even if they don’t shed any tears.

There are many reasons we cry at different times in our lives. Children are more likely to weep if they are hurt than adults. Adults are less likely to cry if they are unhappy or happy for others or themselves. As we age, our empathy and understanding of pain tend to increase. Empathy can be developed by experiencing life’s highs and lows as one age. So, do animals develop empathy? How do animals express their happiness and sorrow? 

Are they able to cry?

Animals can experience joy and sorrow in a variety of emotions. Animals can show empathy towards humans and other animals in many ways. They may comfort, grieve, or even rescue one another from harm.

Let’s look at five fascinating examples of animals that display joy and sorrow throughout their animal kingdom.

Geese

Goose behaviour can show signs of mourning and loss. The mourning period for a goose includes weight loss, separation and submission to other geese in case of death of their long-term partner. A goose will eventually find another companion, often one who has lost its love.

Elephants

The elephant is one of the most famous mourners. They are known to weep and visit the bones and remains of their deceased loved ones when they lose someone close.

Giraffes

Giraffes can also mourn their loved ones. As a form of comfort, a giraffe may lick the body of a friend or child who has died to offer physical comfort.

Birds

Magpies, jays and other members of the avian community will gather around the corpse of a group member and make distress sounds. They may even stop feeding for a time.

why do dogs howl

Dogs use high-pitched barks to express their joy. This is considered a cry of joy. Joyful cats will make high-pitched meows and loud purring sounds.

In conclusion

The human ritual of crying while we cry is unique, although other claims might suggest otherwise. Even though the rituals that we use to find comfort in our loss are difficult to replicate, animals can certainly experience joy and sorrow. They can also cry in response to emotions.

Most shocking of all is the role many animals play in grieving. It is incredible how many animals turn to their pack for help. Even though their grief patterns and joy displays may not be the same as ours, animals can still show moving and beautiful emotions.