Apes in zoos. Animals as pets?

Question

Humans are a species of ape, right? Why do we like to keep other apes, and other animals, as pets? When you look at it like this, it seems weird that one species of animal (us) feels such a strong need to keep other species for comfort purposes. Do other animals also keep pets?

Answer 1

Humans aren't really a species of ape, and we didn't evolve from them, we just share a common ancestor and branched off in different ways. I think the "pet" phenomenon started back when people domesticated animals for survival purposes (cattle, dogs for hunting etc...). Then it became the norm to have animals around and soon they started to treat them as companions and it took off from there. For me, I enjoy watching reptile behavior and designing naturalistic habitats for them, and I enjoy using my animals for educational talks... which is why I keep reptiles, even though they can't "bond" with me. I also have 3 cats because they make excellent companions (lol, and it's not a matter of power, I know full well my cats rule over me!) There are rare cases of cross-species companionship in other animals too. Koko the gorilla has had multiple kittens that she treated as pets/children, much in the same way we would.

Answer 2

There is certainly an active debate on this. I think the two cases you cite are separate. Zoos keep what you might call "wild" animals in captivity. By wild I mean undomesticated. There are arguments from zoos that they perform two functions, generating interest in the public for animals and therefore furthering their conservation in the wild and that their breeding methods are important for maintaining threatened species. Personally I think both of these arguments are weak. For one thing they definitely don't take the "rights" of the individual captive organisms into account. (I say "rights" because when talking about animals such a concept is controversial, although when talking about great apes it seems to me it should not be controversial).

My real issue with zoos is that they promote the deeply rooted cultural concept that nature is somehow separate from us, that we are (and must be) separated from nature by the bars of a zoo cage (they use more subtle methods in newer zoos). It promotes this concept at the expense of the concept that we are a part of nature, and dependent on it. I would argue that wilderness parks do the same thing and ultimately think we need to do away with these also.

The second issue is domesticated animals (pets) and I think you can make a reasonable argument that many of these species/individuals essentially make some form of a choice to ally themselves with humans. However, even with pets we get into the thorny issue of what their rights should be and what the nature of "ownership" or companionship should be. I suppose one should make a distinction between agricultural species and companion species also.

Sorry for the ramble, the lack of organization and the lack of an actual answer. This is actually a very interesting topic. I have been reading a book by Martha Nussbaum, a philosopher who writes about ethical theory and the "rights" of traditionally excluded groups such as women, the diabled, and other species. Haven't finished the book and it's a bit dense, but it is interesting.

Answer 3

The modern human tendency to keep pets started from early man's domestication of wild animals to provide food, clothing, transportation and other needed services. Keeping pets, until recently, was a behavior of the rich who could afford taking care of an animal without getting anything from it except companionship. Once western society moved towards a large middle-class, most people in the U.S. became able to afford a pet. The drive to keep pets is very simple to explain. Humans are social creatures and we have a strong emotional need to feel accepted and loved. The most popular types of pets (dogs, cats, rabbits etc.) usually have one main commonality. They are willing to give unconditional love and acceptance to us without judgment. Humans have a natural fascination with apes because they are "animals" who are very "human". Unfortunately, apes can be very dangerous to keep as pets because they are much stronger than humans, so it's not a good idea.

In answer to whether other animals keep pets, there are ants who herd, take care of and protects aphids. The aphids produce a sweet fluid as a waste product that the ants use as food and the relationship is very similar to the relationship between humans and milking cows. The aphids are not exactly pets but they are definitely "kept" by the ants (1).

Answer 4

Mine are cats - I actual have 3 yet i love all enormous kitties too dolphins - spirit animal wolves eagles bears except the dolphins I actual have those type of animals obviously in state, it truly is large cool. The Rockies Rock

Answer 5

Race horses keep "pets"...usually dogs or goats. They say they do better in a race if they get to hang out with their pets beforehand. Also, Koko the gorilla has a pet cat! She even named it.

Answer 6

every1 wants 2 b superior. therefore, it is a way of displaying their power. i think man is z only animal having pet. to me, it is the same as having a slave - though u r nt mistreating it

Answer 7

Yr parents have been keeping you for a while.