Why is it so much more difficult to experience the death of an animal as opposed to a human?
I was driving through a long desolate stretch of road in Wyoming, trying to stay on the road in the strong, frigid wind, and I noticed an antelope huddled to the side of the road in a depression where a culvert went under the road.The poor critter was at death’s door, and it was easy to see that it would not likely survive the night. It looked very old, or maybe it was just emaciated. I could see it shivering even as I passed by at seventy-plus miles an hour.I thought about that antelope for some time as I drove, and often since.I know there are some people in the world that would have stopped and tried to save it, likely exhausting it and killing it sooner.I would have been more inclined to shoot the poor critter so it didn’t suffer. And I felt some guilt in passing by without doing just that.I was talking to a Ranger for the national forests and he described a situation concerning an antelope too. He said that a concerned citizen rushed into his office and was excited to save an antelope that he had seen being taken down by an eagle. The bird would stoop on the antelope continuously, hitting it in the side and raking it with its talons, and the beast finally went down. The concerned citizen wanted the park ranger to go out and save the antelope. The ranger had to explain to a frustrated citizen that the eagle had to eat, and saving the antelope might mean the death of the bird. That nature is a harsh mistress…We humans have some pretty strange perceptions of the world. Most of us rant and rail about the ignorance in denying evolution… and yet have a hard time allowing natural systems to work as evolution has designed them to succeed.We, especially those people that have grown up with only pets, live in a Disneyeque world where no animal eats another and everybody gets along. We are addicted to cute, and deny that the real world kills the majority of baby animals in a natural setting.Personally, I think that unrealistic perception is a bad thing. People would benefit from being more cognizant of reality.
Why are human babies so difficult to handle compared to infants of animals?
Human babies are so difficult to handle compared to animal babies because the human infants cannot perceive the world at an early age like the animal babies do. This is due to the fact that the brain of human infants is quite underdeveloped as compared to other mammalians.This underdevelopment of the Brain in humans is due to the complicated process of human pregnancy where the baby is not allowed to completely develop in the mother’s womb.This is due to the genetic-trade-off, also called evolutionary tradeoff, where back in history, the humans acquired an upright posture like this.This enabled them to have a better view of their surroundings . which was full of predators. This also freed their hands for other purposes.But this meant the shrinkage of pelvis which would cause trouble to the women during pregnancy. The reduction of the pelvic structure made the complete development of fetus complicated as a complete development means a bigger head [ due to the bigger brain] and a baby with bigger head would exceed the anatomical limit of the human pelvis. So this demanded a smaller head which in turn would ask for an underdeveloped brain.So the human babies , even after birth, need continuous monitoring.Consequently ,the mother and other elder members had to take the responsibility of the babies for years until they mature both physically and mentally.Surprisingly, this possibly could have made us more social than rest of the mammals leading to the strengthened human relations. .Off the topic, Baby animals ought to learn faster about their environment- food, threats and dangers, that surround them and it is only these heightened senses that separate them from the death.For further reading,Katakam Manas Teja's answer to What do you think of men who don't take a woman's fear of giving birth seriously and say not to fuss about it and that it's easy to have many children?
Where do the Hoofed Animals go after Death?
And why are they so "EVIL", if the majority of them don't even hunt, eat meat, massacre other animals, or perpetuate vicious deeds like the humans do? Do we become contaminated by EVIL after eating their flesh (i.e. steaks, hamburgers, etc.) and with it, inevitably, some of their blood (be it partially cooked most of the times)?
What animal can defeat an anaconda?
There are numerous animals that could potentially kill an anaconda. Large animals like elephants, rhinos or hippos could all trample an anaconda to death without much difficulty. Big cats like lions or tigers could kill an anaconda with a single bite - certainly an anaconda is strong enough to kill these animals if it managed to coil around them, but it would be torn to pieces before it had the chance. Jaguars, which share the anaconda's habitat, are known to kill the snakes on occasion. Big crocodiles like the saltwater or Nile crocodile could likewise kill a big snake with one bite - anacondas do prey on caimans, but the reverse is also true. Without the element of surprise, an anaconda is unlikely to triumph against one. Various venomous snakes could doubtless kill an anaconda with their venom, and humans, of course, can kill them with guns or knives.
Why are death penalty executions so difficult when doctors can humanely euthanize animals or people?
In part because it is unethical for doctors to participate in executions—”first do no harm”, remember? Because of this and the fact that certain drugs can only be administered by physicians, the death penalty is carried out by untrained personnel with less-than-ideal drugs.
Human deaths from dolphins vs. sharks?
i love animals in general so of course i love dolphins but i am one of the very few abolute shark lovers in this world. i find them facinating and the things they do and te way they live is completely amazing ~so i have heard that there are about 4 human deaths a year from shark attacks on average, but i have also heard that the number of deaths from dolphin related accidents are greater~ i dont where i heard this from or how it could be possible but if anyone knows alot about either of these animals or just knows alot in general, it would be great to get your opinions and for me to find out if this is true. thanksamillion
Why is today’s world becoming increasingly difficult for humans and animals to exist peacefully and on equal footing?
I’m not sure that species can coexist peacefully and on equal footing. For the most part, nature consists of predator and prey as this is necessary for survival. The same is true for land or environmental needs.On the one hand, mankind has managed to develop agricultural resources, animal products that do not involve killing animals (milk products, honey, eggs, etc) yet, this is not enough for most. Also, some of these industries affect negatively animal habitats.Animal “farming” has saved a number of animal species from extinction yet it involves the death of the animal.Given that food choice is still up to the individual and that demand for a product drives supply, animals will be used to fill that demand. Education on alternative food sources, environmental management, incentives for “animal friendly food sources” are important as is the right of people to choose their food supply. Tough choices.