The World of Human and non-Human Animals
Saturday, the 10th of February 2024 is the first day of the Chinese year of the Green Wood Dragon. Dragon is the 5th animal in the Chinese Animal System. It is the only mystical and legendary animal in the Chinese zodiac. In the Chinese tradition, Dragon is a symbol of transformation, communication, connection, strength, courage... Continue Reading →
Speaking about senses, each species has developed the sensory systems they need to live in their natural environment. Evolution takes care of this. Many birds have remarkable eyesight, many predators possess extraordinary sense of smell, and so on. The importance of a given sense to an animal is reflected in the size of the neocortical... Continue Reading →
The fact is that there is one physical world (we are aware of), and as many ‘sensory perceptual worlds’ as there are different species. How do we all know what is ‘out there’? We know through our senses, of course. It is our senses that ‘deliver the information’ about our environment, and our ‘inner feelings’ to the brain, where this raw information is processed, and ‘our own world’ is created. We then act upon it. This process is very complicated and differs greatly from species to species.
Another condition to be included in DMC-1 is synaesthesia, ie, a sensory perceptual condition when stimulation of one sense triggers experiences in another sense. Dasha wrote about synaesthesia in some humans in her Journal. But we can 'diagnose' many non-human animals with this ‘condition’. These are just a few examples: Lizards Lizards rely on their... Continue Reading →
The word "rabbit" has made its way into many idioms, phrases, and expressions, which are a fun and creative way to add colour and depth to language. Similes, metaphors and idioms with "rabbit" are often used to describe speed, agility, and fear. For example, the phrase "quick like a rabbit" / “quick like a bunny”... Continue Reading →
Beyond Cuteness: The etymology of the word “bunny” The word "bunny" is a term that often evokes images of charming, fluffy creatures hopping around. However, beyond its association with cute animals, the etymology of the word holds a captivating history. It's quite fascinating how these adorable, fluffy creatures have gone through multiple name changes.
Rabbits have been a part of human society for thousands of years. Whether as sources of food, companionship, or even symbols of fertility, these small, furry creatures have made their mark on our culture. But how did these adorable animals get their name – “rabbit”? To answer this question, we have to turn to etymology.... Continue Reading →
In English, the hare has inspired many metaphors and idioms over the centuries, reflecting its various qualities and associations. For instance, its legendary speed and agility gave rise to such expressions as: ‘quick as a hare,’ ‘as fast as a hare’ or ‘nimble as a hare.’ These phrases are commonly used to describe someone who... Continue Reading →
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