People tend to compare and contrast each other with animals on many occasions, whether in praise or blame. For example, a cowardly person is often described as a “chicken,” a malicious person is described as a “fox,” a stubborn person is described as a “mule,” while a brave person is likened to a “lion.”
But how accurate are the descriptions we associate with animals? According to researchers, some animals It does not show the same qualities that we attribute to it!
Are foxes really cunning?
Foxes are known for their cognitive abilities, advanced social behavior, and ability to learn from previous experiences, says a wildlife system expert at the Technical University in Dresden, Germany. Sven Herzog.
He added, “If a member of a family group falls into a trap, this fox and his family members will avoid this type of trap and similar structures in the future.”
Foxes are distinguished by their ability to adapt to a variety of environments, from forests to urban areas. This animal can predict human behavior by observing us, which means it can differentiate between a hunter and someone just taking a walk. Foxes’ sense of hearing is also very strong, enabling them to detect their prey even under heavy snow.
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Herzog explained that foxes can adapt quickly, which allows them to live in different places. In addition, the behavior of foxes shows a high level of social intelligence, as family members hunt together in small groups. These social interactions require a certain degree of communication and social intelligence, which shows that describing foxes as intelligent is more accurate than describing them as cunning.
Are sloths really slow?
According to the WWF, the sloth is a very slow animal indeed, traveling only 8-10 meters per minute when moving through trees, which means it moves at less than a kilometer per hour. It can be slower when moving on the ground, where it becomes more vulnerable.
Moreover, sloths need to sleep for up to 18 hours a day. But what seems to us a very quiet and slow life is actually a smart way to save energy. The sloth’s diet is sparse in nutrients, consisting mainly of tree leaves and some smaller animals. This energy-poor system forces the sloth to conserve as much energy as possible, so it moves very slowly.
However, sloths have an amazing swimming skill, using this ability to navigate through rivers and rainforests. Its body is also covered with algae that helps it camouflage, providing it with protection from predators.
Is the mule stubborn or cautious?
It is often said that a mule is stubborn, but this trait is not entirely accurate. Animal experts say that mules, which usually live in mountainous areas, are cautious, as one wrong step could lead to their death. Therefore, when a mule suddenly stops, it is not because he is stubborn, but because he cannot accurately assess the situation around him, and needs time to decide.
A mule is a mix between a horse and a donkey, and is characterized by great endurance that makes it ideal for working in rugged areas.
The caution that characterizes this animal is an evolutionary trait to protect it from dangers, and it appears that describing the mule as stubborn is unfair, but rather reflects a high sense of survival and caution against environmental risks.
What about bees?
Bees are hardworking insects, especially honeybees, in which the female plays the largest role. Experts at the German Beekeepers Association say that it is the female bee that does most of the hard work, especially in searching for food.
Bees are very social creatures, and their members are guided using “waggle dances,” a special language that bees use to guide each other to food sources. It also works economically, only working when the work benefits the entire colony.
After all, scientific studies show that many of the descriptions we make of animals may not be accurate, despite their embeddedness in popular culture. Even if some features are based on real observations, many of them need scientific review to better understand reality.
