Where do animal instincts come from?

Lee said:
I find it fascinating how my cat can look out the window watching dog after dog being walked by and not twitch a whisker. But let a cat go by and all hell breaks loose. Instinct tells him something.
Click to expand...
Our cat does the same. Could be they like where they live and are afraid the other cat might move in and take over — or something else? (-8
 

Last edited:
I think we vastly underestimate animal intelligence. I had three cats. I could call one name and the cat would look up, and the other two wouldn't. They knew their names. That means they have a sense of self. And my cats did "cat stuff". That means they were influenced by their DNA. Do you really think it was solely your idea to start looking for a mate after puberty?
 
bobcat48 said:
It's funny I guess, but our mating behavior is driven by the need to reproduce, but now with birth control, or no desire to have children, or sex after menopause, has taken that instinctive behavior a whole different direction (Not that I'm complaining ... it's all good). Lol
Click to expand...
In part I think it is, but there is more to it. It helps with family bonding, important to humans with children needing years of support. I think that is why we enjoy sex even when its not procreative. Most animals only have sex to reproduce and show little or no interest otherwise.
 

Alligatorob said:
In part I think it is, but there is more to it. It helps with family bonding, important to humans with children needing years of support. I think that is why we enjoy sex even when its not procreative. Most animals only have sex to reproduce and show little or no interest otherwise.
Click to expand...
Lol ... I'll mention that to the dog next time one is humping my leg. o_O
 
bobcat48 said:
Animals seem to intuitively know things from birth. How does that happen? If it's somehow written in their DNA, does that mean molecules have inherent knowledge?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't call it knowledge, but it is written in their DNA, which activates part of their nervous system to carry out specific tasks that have evolved that help them survive. I don't think they say to themselves, "I have to do this to survive." They just can stop doing it, but in the end their survival allows them to pass this DNA script on to their offspring. Only the ones that are compelled to peck holes, or build nests, eat insects, or whatever pass this DNA on. The others don't pass any DNA on.
 
Lee said:
I find it fascinating how my cat can look out the window watching dog after dog being walked by and not twitch a whisker. But let a cat go by and all hell breaks loose. Instinct tells him something.
Click to expand...
Cat looking out window: Stupid dog. Stupid dog. Stupid dog.

Cat sees another cat: Grr there's Chauncey. Hey Chauncey, you jerk, come in here and walk like that! We'll see how tough you are then! What kind of name is Chauncey anyway! Your fur is stupid too!

35 seconds later: Stupid dog. Stupid dog. Yum bird! Stupid dog.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Actually, it’s a dominance behavioural, more than a ****** one. Sometimes they do it when they are over stimulated and start demanding attention. It’s an attempt in showing leadership. I think a guy must have made up the myth that it’s because they are horny. 🙄
Click to expand...
:) We can disagree on this if we want to. I think that aggression, creativity, and horniness are all the same thing in the male persuasion. Man is a dangerous animal, he can't help it. I like him anyway.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
Actually, it’s a dominance behavioural, more than a ****** one. Sometimes they do it when they are over stimulated and start demanding attention. It’s an attempt in showing leadership. I think a guy must have made up the myth that it’s because they are horny. 🙄
Click to expand...
Okay, how does anyone really know when a dog feels horny. Okay, maybe a dog priest, and that's assuming the dog goes to doggie confession.
 
MarkD said:
But I think in most ways I think mammals at least have the full suite of feelings and emotions. They're also good observers and learners; they just don't write I all down or express it in words. I'd say they are capable of a sense of dignity and deserve our respect
Click to expand...
Experienced that with what became my chippy buddy up at the cabin
He followed me for years, morning and night
Sometimes just watched me work

0xOjfFP.jpg


hoHYk1C.jpg


xbsEsJB.jpg


S9cTSmY.jpg


OsxPcNc.jpg


He sensed our last day at the cabin

Saying g'bye

N02JEUw.jpg
 
gruntlabor said:
:) We can disagree on this if we want to. I think that aggression, creativity, and horniness are all the same thing in the male persuasion. Man is a dangerous animal, he can't help it. I like him anyway.
Click to expand...
If it was merely sexual then why do female dogs do it too and if men think aggression, creativity and horniness are all the same thing , then that explains it even better. 😅
 
bobcat48 said:
This has baffled me for years. How does a bird know how to build a nest, or even know that it needs to? A nest was already built when it was hatched, so it didn't get to watch it's parents do it, so how does it know? How does a spider know how to build a web. The web was already built when it was born as well?
Animals seem to intuitively know things from birth. How does that happen? If it's somehow written in their DNA, does that mean molecules have inherent knowledge?
I have lots of Acorn Woodpeckers at my house, and they choose a feeder tree, peck hundreds of holes, and then go find an acorn that fits the hole, stuff it in, and save it for winter. Not only that, but they put rocks in many of the holes to fool the other woodpeckers that are not part of their family. I was always finding rocks on my deck, and wondered how in the hell they got there. Well, I finally realized that the woodpeckers were accidentally dropping them when they fly over.

Anyway, just wondering what your thoughts are on how animals instinctively know things, or examples of things you have noticed.
Click to expand...
Ask yourself this wee question just for fun and it'll dawn on you...

How come your great at one thing but crappy at the other? Example, my ancestors were great at any kind of research as in getting information on many subjects.

The other side of my ancestors were marvellous at various mix of farming (animal, vegetable and orchard fruit).

As many great veggies, fruit trees I've planted, I'm always victorious with great results.... Nevertheless, when it comes to indoor plants, my green thumb seems to be black as tar. My poor rose bushes diebone after the other😭😭😭

Darwin's theory of evolution. It's all due to that plus DNA. Animals or humans, we are an amazingly complex race on this earth, that has gone through so many changes over the millennias....

We may never find out all there is about all of us or the wonderful animals who shares our wee blue marbled planet.

In conclusion, we can also ask ourselves this question.

You make a hole in the dirt, you drop seeds (where did they come from you wonder), you cover the seeds, you add water and nutrients and magically something appears out of the soil and after a certain period of time, you're sitting outside in the glorious sunshine, eating a bowl of the freshest strawberries, covered with lovely cream (gift from the cows) and sprinkled with brown sugar, with a slice or two (thanks to whomever were the first to create it) Bread 🍞.

The world goes around every day, we may discover it, some day. Fingers-crossed, hey?

6459ee1ec6eae2bb281e4fa5ba1f81eb.jpg
 
Supernatural said:
You make a hole in the dirt, you drop seeds (where did they come from you wonder), you cover the seeds, you add water and nutrients and magically something appears out of the soil and after a certain period of time
Click to expand...
The seeds don't know how to do that, but they do it anyway. Now apply that to birds and nest building. It may seem like an oversimplified comparison, but both of those examples are quite complicated at the DNA level.
 
MarkD said:
But I think in most ways I think mammals at least have the full suite of feelings and emotions. They're also good observers and learners; they just don't write I all down or express it in words. I'd say they are capable of a sense of dignity and deserve our respect. Dogs in particular are capable of devotion and courage on our behalf.
Click to expand...
They are excellent observers and learners. Even if they could write everything they learned down, they have no need to. They only concern themselves with the important stuff; survival but they are definitely capable of creating meaningful bonds with us. The bond often starts as a survival ‘need’ more than anything since we domesticated them but that bond sure can grow. Dogs especially love us unconditionally and are worthy of our respect. They do live to protect us since we are their family and they probably do it with more loyalty than any other animal on earth which is why they leave a huge hole in our heart when they pass. Some people bond with animals far more than people and for good reason.
 
Last edited:
PeppermintPatty said:
If it was merely ****** then why do female dogs do it too and if men think aggression, creativity and horniness are all the same thing , then that explains it even better. 😅
Click to expand...
:)
1. As far as I know, female dogs do not hump although, when a female is in season, she certainly is receptive.
2. I never said that men think aggression, creativity and horniness are the same thing. That is merely what I personally assert.
3. Question: That explains what even better?
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top