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While we all wish animals could talk to us, we can learn a lot about them from the way they behave. Join us to learn more about the evolutionary origin of animal behaviour, and how we can understand the way an animal is feeling by assessing their emotional states.
Animal emotions and why they matter
Dr Benjamin Lecorps
(Lecturer at Bristol Veterinary School)
Conceptions of animal welfare are more and more focusing on what animals subjectively experience (their emotions and affect). However, these remain out of reach of direct assessment. During this talk I will aim to highlight why animal affective experiences matter, how they can be assessed and the challenges ahead.
In the light of evolution
Alfie Prettyman
(PhD Student at Bristol Veterinary School)
Was there a first jumping spider in a world of walking ones? Was there a first male animal in a world of females? How do behaviours begin and how do they maintain?
It’s well understood how and why different shaped beaks in birds evolved, and why animals are all different shapes and sizes. But how did animals come to behave differently from each other? It is a more subtle and, in many ways, more interesting question at its core. We will delve into the origin of behaviours, from courting and mating, to hunting and playing!
It’s well understood how and why different shaped beaks in birds evolved, and why animals are all different shapes and sizes. But how did animals come to behave differently from each other? It is a more subtle and, in many ways, more interesting question at its core. We will delve into the origin of behaviours, from courting and mating, to hunting and playing!
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