Why do animals/other beings never commit suicide, are they more courageous than some of us who commit suicide?

Answer 1

Animals have not yet developed the depth of emotion and the mental processing that humans have. While many do appear to possess a memory and some emotional responses such as sadness, joy and even remorse they don't seem to have put together the guilt with the concept of ending life. Most animals are working on the lowest rung of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs and their days are spent in pursuit of food and shelter and basic survival. The domesticated animals, especially those who live in an abundance of acceptance and love from humans, are those who appear to be developing simple emotions and basic thinking processes. Over time they will become more acutely aware of the contrasts in life, the extreme highs and lows that emotions carry. It's possible we will see animals suicides then. I don't think it's so much a factor of courage as one where they haven't yet had the concept of suicide impressed upon their field of comprehension.

Then again, there are some squirrels around here that are always playing dodge-car which make me wonder. ;-)