• Question: do animals have personalities

    Asked by imnotagingerscientist to Charlotte, Jo, Kevin, Louise, Valeria on 13 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Kevin Mahon

      Kevin Mahon answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      They certainly do, they is widespread work being done on personality/temperment in a variety of animals, and there is considerable variety! I’m sure you’ve noticed how some dogs/cats are more affectionate or more adventurous than others! Personalities have been found in fish, birds and even reptiles!

      Personalities have been shown to be affected by the animals social niche, that is the circumstances they are brought up in.

      There is also a developing field of clinical animal psychology! In America, there is a chewable anti-depressant for dogs available, from the makers of Prozac.

    • Photo: Joanna Cruden

      Joanna Cruden answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      They are all very different, even animals who are genetically similar will display differences in behaviour and reactions and temperaments so they do all have personalities in their own way

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