free choice 1

I read an article in Reader’s Digest called Animals That Act Like People. The article mainly focused on habits that both animals and humans share.  Aside from touching on the similarities that humans share with animals such as sleeping habits or dietary choices the article also talked about animals behaving more like humans on a mental level.  Bears and monkeys have astounding memory and comprehension. a bear at a zoo in Finland has memorized a yoga routine to preform  for zoo patrons. Capuchins which are monkeys demonstrated the knowledge of pricing and budgeting. On a less serious note, pandas love to cuddle. Pandas will roam alone and mate once a year but they often love to cuddle. The most interesting thing I read I the article were the stories of animals helping other animals. In Wales a woman accepted a stray cat into her home. The woman welcomed the stray cat with the hopes that the cat could befriend the woman’s blind dog. The cat and the dog became so close that the cat started escorting the blind dog around the house. Virginia Morell stated that she believes animals share not just habits with humans but feelings as well.  Animals show emotions towards humans and other animals.  A cat named Toldo in Italy guards his deceased owner’s grave years after the owner’s death. After being freed from a net a humpback whale swam beside the boat that rescued it and jumped at least 40 times in the air to show its thanks.  The article was a very interesting and informative article on the similar characteristics between humans and animals.