Animals feel and communicate: insights into their hidden emotions!

Animals feel and communicate: insights into their hidden emotions!

The semester opening of “Studying in Old Age” will take place at the Westphalian Wilhelms University in Münster on October 7, 2025. The focus of the event is the lecture “Don’t worry, be happy”, which deals with the emotional lives of animals. The speaker, Prof. Dr. Helene Richter from the Institute of Neuro- and Behavioral Biology will speak at 11:15 a.m. in lecture hall H1 at Schlossplatz 46. From 9:45 a.m., interested parties will receive advance information in lecture hall H3 from the employees of the “Studying in Old Age” contact point.

The lecture addresses the variety of basic emotions that animals feel and their expression. Chimpanzees, for example, exhibit nonverbal communication similar to that of humans and can express emotions such as happiness, sadness and anger. Research shows that untrained observers can accurately perceive animal emotions, fueling the debate about animal emotions. According to a report by Bookey Behavior as well as sounds and smells play a crucial role in how animals communicate, allowing them to convey emotions.

Insights into the emotional world of animals

Research shows that animals not only feel sadness and joy, but also complex social emotions such as shame and empathy. According to a survey conducted by Dr. Marcela Benítez and her team, 98% of animal behavior researchers believe in the existence of emotions in non-human primates. Emotions can also be perceived in mammals (89%), birds (78%) and even invertebrates (71%). These findings shed new light on our understanding of animal behavior and the moral implications associated with how we treat animals.

The emotional bonds that animals can show are particularly striking. There are numerous reports of animals showing grief after the loss of companions, as well as specific behaviors interpreted as expressions of gratitude, as in the case of a humpback whale after its rescue. The presence of such emotions raises the question of the extent to which animals can have similar emotional experiences to humans, as suggested by Game with game reported.

An interdisciplinary approach to animal behavior research

Capturing and analyzing animal emotions presents challenges for researchers, particularly in reproducing natural environments and conducting laboratory experiments. The use of new technologies, including AI and facial recognition software, allows scientists to analyze animal behavior more precisely. This promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between behavioral scientists, ethicists and technology experts.

Participation in the semester opening is free of charge for all interested parties and possible without registration. A tour of the university buildings in the city center begins at 2 p.m. and is conducted by students for students. This tour offers the opportunity to gain an insight into university life and to explore the diverse educational offerings.

The discussion about the emotional lives of animals is timeless and relevant, is reflected in recent research and raises the question of the meaning of humanity in dealing with the animal world. Findings about the emotional capacities of animals could have far-reaching implications for the species-appropriate husbandry and protection of these creatures.