![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669fc82983646.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5cde922810428.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a1f661d521.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_668552253bf3e.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a235fb1b06.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_647899ff8d179.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a1ffd2699c.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a250328b88.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5e7cb405a517b.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_64f1ba2c9d05b.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a287aee3a2.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a2eb97d84f.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a42a401507.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a2f7da2d9c.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_664f10042cab5.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_63c579f511091.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5ae1c1c62a8bc.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_62c5c8e8d11f9.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a5f2168711.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_657c50b72f89f.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a4692c5f2a.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_63da7435b7bad.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5a0d8ab39f2c4.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a44e269ff6.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a5f88128e4.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a61c530591.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a646374811.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a651d03d49.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a66b35ccce.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65dc6540cf605.jpg)
![30 animals with surprisingly human traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_669a43e9427c7.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
Chimpanzees
- A 2018 study found that chimpanzees share the same five major personality traits with humans: conscientiousness, openness, agreeableness, extraversion, and neuroticism. Scientists also found that more agreeable male chimpanzees formed stronger social bonds and tended to live longer.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Gorillas
- Gorillas have also been found to have five human-like personality traits. They also use facial expressions and gestures to communicate, and feel joy, empathy, and sadness.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Dogs
- In a 2018 study published in the journal Learning and Behavior, researchers found that dogs notice when people are in distress and seek to comfort them. This behavior was interpreted as evidence of empathy.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Asian elephants
- Known for their high intelligence, strong social bonds, and empathetic behavior, research has shown that Asian elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Honeybees
- In a 2011 study, bees were offered sugar with a mix of odors before being shaken in a way that simulated a predator attack. The shaken bees had lower levels of dopamine and serotonin, suggesting they might experience some negative human-like emotions. Suggesting that, like humans, honeybees feel more pessimistic after a stressful experience.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Bottlenose dolphins
- Known for their intelligence, dolphins, similar to humans and other primates, have the personality traits of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Magpies
- A member of the corvid family, this intelligent bird can make and use tools to feed their young and mimic human voices. Another study found that European magpies recognize themselves in a mirror.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Big cats
- A 2024 study found that big cats, including cheetahs, lions, and tigers, can recognize human voices and distinguish them from those of strangers.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Orcas
- Also known as killer whales, orcas form strong social bonds and live in close-knit family groups called pods. They've been recorded hunting, sharing food, communicating and socializing within their pod, demonstrating advanced cultural and personality traits.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Rats
- A 2013 study found that rats display empathetic behavior. Scientists recorded them helping one another by allowing one rat to roam freely while another was trapped in a container. The free rat shared the emotional distress of the trapped rat despite no reward being offered each time it willingly freed the captive rat.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Horses
- Like humans, horses can interpret facial expressions and distinguish human emotions. Similarly to dogs, horses are known for being empathetic and having close relationships with their owners.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Snakes
- Snakes are generally known for being solitary creatures, but a 2023 study found that, like humans, they may comfort each other in periods of stress.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Meerkats
- Adult meerkats take turns babysitting young meerkats, spending time educating them in essential life skills. This allows the dominant female meerkat to devote her time to breeding.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Domestic cats
- Sure, cats don't adore us in the same way dogs do, but a 2021 study found that they're able to form bonds with humans depending on the emotional behavior of the owner. When it came to displaying complex human-like emotions, jealousy was more commonly seen in cats than empathy or compassion.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Pigeons
- A 2016 study found that pigeons could distinguish up to 60 four-letter words. It was the first time a nonprimate could recognize letters and have an orthographical brain.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Dragonflies
- Just like us humans, dragonflies can shut out unnecessary information, enabling them to focus on a specific task. This is a trait that's usually seen in primates.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
Penguins
- Penguins are social creatures that, like humans, rely on collaborative social skills to problem-solve tasks, such as hunting. They also communicate by "singing" and can adapt their behavior to their environment.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Octopuses
- Known for their intelligence, a 2010 study found that Pacific octopuses could recognize individuals using their large orbital lobes, an area of the brain used for vision.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Cockroaches
- Although they're not commonly associated with cleanliness, cockroaches have a preference for self-hygiene, constantly grooming themselves. They do this to keep their antennae working efficiently.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Bonobos
- Along with chimpanzees, bonobos are humans' closest living relatives. Theu are known for living peacefully in close-knit social groups.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Humpback whales - Whales use song to form social groups, find a mate, and communicate. And much like humans, their taste in music evolves over time, with each whale species creating their own song.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Mockingbird
- A 2023 study found that female northern mockingbirds can distinguish familiar humans and judge which individual poses the greatest threat. This suggests they have higher cognitive ability than previously believed.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Japanese macaques
- In 2024, scientists found that nerve cells in the Japanese macaques' brain's premotor cortex, which prepares and executes movement in the limbs, strongly responded when tasked with adding and subtracting.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Parrots
- Not only do parrots have the ability to mimic human speech, but they also exhibit social complexity. A 2022 study found that blue-throated macaws demonstrated mental self-representation and episodic memory.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Tamarin monkeys
- A 2013 study discovered that cotton-top tamarins "whispered" to one another when in the presence of a human they disliked.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Ants
- Ants are highly intelligent insects that live in huge colonies and form complex social structures. In 2006, a study found that ants teach one another new skills. Scientists observed ants performing a "tandem-running" style of teaching, with one ant showing another the route to a food source.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Crickets
- Another insect with impressive memory skills, a 2022 study discovered that crickets could learn and remember food sources using odors.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Crows
- A highly intelligent bird, crows possess self-awareness and can make decisions, just like humans. A 2020 study showed that crows use sense and reason to problem-solve.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Orangutans - Just like us humans, orangutans can learn their own "languages" and often communicate using body language.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Archerfish
- Unlike primates, fish lack a large brain and visual cortex that aids in processing images. However, a 2016 study found that archerfish could learn and recognize human faces with accuracy.
Sources: (Live Science) (New Scientist)
See also: Animals that can survive (almost) anything
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
Chimpanzees
- A 2018 study found that chimpanzees share the same five major personality traits with humans: conscientiousness, openness, agreeableness, extraversion, and neuroticism. Scientists also found that more agreeable male chimpanzees formed stronger social bonds and tended to live longer.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Gorillas
- Gorillas have also been found to have five human-like personality traits. They also use facial expressions and gestures to communicate, and feel joy, empathy, and sadness.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Dogs
- In a 2018 study published in the journal Learning and Behavior, researchers found that dogs notice when people are in distress and seek to comfort them. This behavior was interpreted as evidence of empathy.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Asian elephants
- Known for their high intelligence, strong social bonds, and empathetic behavior, research has shown that Asian elephants can recognize themselves in a mirror.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Honeybees
- In a 2011 study, bees were offered sugar with a mix of odors before being shaken in a way that simulated a predator attack. The shaken bees had lower levels of dopamine and serotonin, suggesting they might experience some negative human-like emotions. Suggesting that, like humans, honeybees feel more pessimistic after a stressful experience.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Bottlenose dolphins
- Known for their intelligence, dolphins, similar to humans and other primates, have the personality traits of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Magpies
- A member of the corvid family, this intelligent bird can make and use tools to feed their young and mimic human voices. Another study found that European magpies recognize themselves in a mirror.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Big cats
- A 2024 study found that big cats, including cheetahs, lions, and tigers, can recognize human voices and distinguish them from those of strangers.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Orcas
- Also known as killer whales, orcas form strong social bonds and live in close-knit family groups called pods. They've been recorded hunting, sharing food, communicating and socializing within their pod, demonstrating advanced cultural and personality traits.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Rats
- A 2013 study found that rats display empathetic behavior. Scientists recorded them helping one another by allowing one rat to roam freely while another was trapped in a container. The free rat shared the emotional distress of the trapped rat despite no reward being offered each time it willingly freed the captive rat.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Horses
- Like humans, horses can interpret facial expressions and distinguish human emotions. Similarly to dogs, horses are known for being empathetic and having close relationships with their owners.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Snakes
- Snakes are generally known for being solitary creatures, but a 2023 study found that, like humans, they may comfort each other in periods of stress.
© Shutterstock
12 / 31 Fotos
Meerkats
- Adult meerkats take turns babysitting young meerkats, spending time educating them in essential life skills. This allows the dominant female meerkat to devote her time to breeding.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Domestic cats
- Sure, cats don't adore us in the same way dogs do, but a 2021 study found that they're able to form bonds with humans depending on the emotional behavior of the owner. When it came to displaying complex human-like emotions, jealousy was more commonly seen in cats than empathy or compassion.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Pigeons
- A 2016 study found that pigeons could distinguish up to 60 four-letter words. It was the first time a nonprimate could recognize letters and have an orthographical brain.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Dragonflies
- Just like us humans, dragonflies can shut out unnecessary information, enabling them to focus on a specific task. This is a trait that's usually seen in primates.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
Penguins
- Penguins are social creatures that, like humans, rely on collaborative social skills to problem-solve tasks, such as hunting. They also communicate by "singing" and can adapt their behavior to their environment.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Octopuses
- Known for their intelligence, a 2010 study found that Pacific octopuses could recognize individuals using their large orbital lobes, an area of the brain used for vision.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Cockroaches
- Although they're not commonly associated with cleanliness, cockroaches have a preference for self-hygiene, constantly grooming themselves. They do this to keep their antennae working efficiently.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Bonobos
- Along with chimpanzees, bonobos are humans' closest living relatives. Theu are known for living peacefully in close-knit social groups.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Humpback whales - Whales use song to form social groups, find a mate, and communicate. And much like humans, their taste in music evolves over time, with each whale species creating their own song.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Mockingbird
- A 2023 study found that female northern mockingbirds can distinguish familiar humans and judge which individual poses the greatest threat. This suggests they have higher cognitive ability than previously believed.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Japanese macaques
- In 2024, scientists found that nerve cells in the Japanese macaques' brain's premotor cortex, which prepares and executes movement in the limbs, strongly responded when tasked with adding and subtracting.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Parrots
- Not only do parrots have the ability to mimic human speech, but they also exhibit social complexity. A 2022 study found that blue-throated macaws demonstrated mental self-representation and episodic memory.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Tamarin monkeys
- A 2013 study discovered that cotton-top tamarins "whispered" to one another when in the presence of a human they disliked.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Ants
- Ants are highly intelligent insects that live in huge colonies and form complex social structures. In 2006, a study found that ants teach one another new skills. Scientists observed ants performing a "tandem-running" style of teaching, with one ant showing another the route to a food source.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Crickets
- Another insect with impressive memory skills, a 2022 study discovered that crickets could learn and remember food sources using odors.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Crows
- A highly intelligent bird, crows possess self-awareness and can make decisions, just like humans. A 2020 study showed that crows use sense and reason to problem-solve.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Orangutans - Just like us humans, orangutans can learn their own "languages" and often communicate using body language.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Archerfish
- Unlike primates, fish lack a large brain and visual cortex that aids in processing images. However, a 2016 study found that archerfish could learn and recognize human faces with accuracy.
Sources: (Live Science) (New Scientist)
See also: Animals that can survive (almost) anything
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
30 animals with surprisingly human traits
We have a lot in common with these animals
© Shutterstock
We humans often think we're unique, with abilities and behaviors far more evolved and complex than animals. However, that's not entirely true. In the diverse realm of the animal kingdom, we encounter many creatures, from tiny insects to our closest living relatives, who exhibit surprisingly human traits.
From elephants mourning their dead to bees that get pessimistic when faced with setbacks, click on for an array of animals with the most human-like behavior.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![The angel number of each zodiac sign](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daea83cf3d5.jpg)
![Do you have a Sunday reset routine?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dabb3c56bfa.jpg)
![Natural spies: Animals used in espionage](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9cea393994.jpg)
![Miracles and a temper? Experts investigate Jesus' childhood](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dafd980019e.jpg)
![Exploring the tree house hotel where Princess Elizabeth learned she'd be Queen](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66daf9f737929.jpg)
![The top 30 most valuable brands of 2024](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d6f050a2e93.jpg)
![Countries where bosses can't contact employees after hours](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dae767723a3.jpg)
![The sad reality of femicide around the world](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dace5c31b08.jpg)
![Who is the top goal scorer of all time?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dac9cd5b549.jpg)
![The amazing life of Jane Goodall, the world's most famous primatologist](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c5a6523fb.jpg)
![What was the Neanderthal diet like?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d9c4ba462b7.jpg)
![The greatest surfers of all time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82a3991191.jpg)
![Fascinating facts you probably didn't know about the Oval Office](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66db0390a5798.jpg)
![How does tennis scoring actually work?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82a540f53f.jpg)
![What would the world look like if mosquitos were eradicated?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5eac49dc86.jpg)
![Countries that have banned X, TikTok, and Facebook](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d72124468bd.jpg)
![Outdated workplace trends to say goodbye to](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8529e0ac2a.jpg)
![American football players who became coaches](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d59a4ede1a9.jpg)
![Experts predict a tsunami in Europe with 100% probability](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d97aef417a7.jpg)
![The greatest female wrestlers of all time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5d7aa902d2.jpg)
![How your zodiac sign influences your personality traits](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84e22a505a.jpg)
![Unique ways your zodiac sign sabotages romantic relationships](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84aee582cb.jpg)
![Japan's trick to reverse population collapse](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d719469c392.jpg)
![The terrifying history of the dark web](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84942d0d7a.jpg)
![The F1 drivers with the most pole positions ever](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d71d2095a6e.jpg)
![The most (and least) intelligent zodiac signs, ranked](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8447cb1c5d.jpg)
![The fascinating spiritual meaning of your animal dreams, revealed](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83ec1a1923.jpg)
![Are you an introvert? These are the telltale signs](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d840333af90.jpg)
![The sad reasons why some good relationships don't last](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84195c34c0.jpg)
![Clear signs you've hit a midlife crisis](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83d116bd09.jpg)
![Stunning pictures of the world's strangest and rarest weather phenomena](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d83c14b308e.jpg)
![These zodiac signs are the funniest](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8329f2cd1f.jpg)
![You can live in luxury on a budget in these countries](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82d763b2b6.jpg)
![This is why even the best players miss penalties during a shoot-out](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82c209a643.jpg)
![Which countries have the most bald men?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d838cccf6e9.jpg)
![Decode your pup: strange dog behaviors explained](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d086ddd77a1.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week
-
1
CELEBRITY Relationships
-
2
LIFESTYLE Wealth
-
3
HEALTH Bad habit
-
4
LIFESTYLE History
-
5
FOOD Food storage
-
6
LIFESTYLE Secondhand
-
7
LIFESTYLE Secondhand
-
8
HEALTH Risks
-
9
-
10
LIFESTYLE Politics
Why is the far-right gaining popularity among young people in Europe?