a little bit 18th century, a little bit 24th century
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Elephant Child
This is the most adorable thing ever.
The baby elephant chasing the birds then falling down and running to mom is so like a human toddler and yes I know that's anthropocentric but I am human so it's the only perspective I have.
Given that elephants have similar lifespans to humans, and sort of a family structure going on (matrilineal, IIRC), and there's a long period of maternal care before the young one strikes out on its own...it doesn't seem so very excessively anthropomorphic to me.
I've also read that elephants mourn their dead, which seems like the saddest thing ever to me.
People are generally most attracted to animals whose behavior reminds them of human children. I guess that's based in our biology - an instinctive protectiveness toward the young.
Given that elephants have similar lifespans to humans, and sort of a family structure going on (matrilineal, IIRC), and there's a long period of maternal care before the young one strikes out on its own...it doesn't seem so very excessively anthropomorphic to me.
ReplyDeleteI've also read that elephants mourn their dead, which seems like the saddest thing ever to me.
People are generally most attracted to animals whose behavior reminds them of human children. I guess that's based in our biology - an instinctive protectiveness toward the young.
Delete