What are some qualities that distinguish humans from other animals?

Answer 1

1.Our emotions are more complex.
2.We have thumbs, obviously.
3. We are the very first species to have "ruled out" all the others.
4. Our genetic make-up is different, again, obvious.
5. Our form of communication is different. We communicate though codes, messages, symbols, and most other animals communicate through pitches.

Answer 2

Well, for one, humans are the only animals that do things out of spite.
Also, I would like to correct some of the common misconceptions people believe about animals: First, all animals have a language or method of communication that they use to communicate with other animals of their species.
Second, some animals do have intuition. For instance, some dogs can sense when their owners have or are getting diseases, such as cancer.
Studies have shown that dogs do laugh.
Some animals are aware of their mortality, like elephants that grieve when a loved one dies.
Humans are not the only animal that enjoys hunting. Whales and dolphins are known to hunt just for the fun of it. Yes, despite their deceptive appearance, some dolphins are evil.
Also, although some animals could not recognize themselves in a mirror at all, there are others that quite narcissistic. This proves that animals are indeed aware of themselves.

Answer 3

1. Our human digestive system allows us to consume the largest variety of plants, herbs, vegetables, fruits, and meats. I think only the pig surpasses us in the quantity of foods that can be eaten.

2. Humans are the only species that can have sex for pleasure. The other animals have sex purely for "creation." Female mammals only have sex when "In heat" and stop having sex after menopause. Human females can have sex any time (any cycle, and after menopause).

3. Humans are the only species that bury their dead. Elephants are intelligent and have been seen mourning thier dead, but never has animals burried their dead.

4. Humans are the only species that have found a way to travel into outter space. Sure we've sent up monkies, but, ah, the monkey didn't build the rocket, form a crew, and get there on his own.

5. Cats, Dogs, Hampsters, Llama's, Horses, and Bunnies just don't get TV or the Internet. IDK about the rest of 'em ... but I have tried to get these groups interested with little to no avail. (giggle - JOKING - okay, kinda joking ;o)

Answer 4

I would think that humans are the only "animals" that are aware of and think about their own mortality.

I doubt that animals fear death as we do. They have an instinctive reaction to fear and pain, but not that they fear that they will die. They may be aware that other creatures don't "function" but clearly, they don't know that another no longer lives.

Elephants have been said to "grieve" but I think that it is more of a reaction to not enjoying a companion's company and security. Witnesses to this "grieving" have mentioned that elephants have tried to "revive" a dead elephant by trying to push and lift the corpse. This indicates, to me, that they do not undrstand that the dead one will never rise and walk again. At some point, the herd may give up and walk away, but not because they understand the difference between life and death.

Answer 5

The best way to describe humans is MORE.

Animals make tools. Humans, more tools; & tools to make tools.
Animals make sounds to communicate. Humans, more sounds, more meanings.
Animals form packs. Humans form Nations, & multi national alliances.
Animal packs fight for territory. Human warfare is a dazzling array of strategies.
Animals build nests. Humans build housing tracks and apartments.
Animals forge and hunt. Humans farm, ranch and, create food distribution centers.
Animals prepare for winter. Humans plan for retirement.
Animals remember events of their lives. Humans know events predating their species.
And animals have sex in season.

Humans….. more.
;-)

Answer 6

The number one quality is viciousness. In order to ensure survival of the species, most animals, even timberwolves, do not tolerate such viciousness as is displayed by humans. In Europe, they have museums dedicated to instuments of torture!
Of course, humans also read, use TV, radios, movies and so forth. They can not only invent things, but learn from others and build upon what others have produced before them.
Perhaps the most important would be religion. Although the great apes and dogs and other species seem to worship (especially the moon) only humans apply it to their everyday life and tell others what they can or cannot worship.

Answer 7

Awareness of one's belief system - in terms of the ability to deliberately change patterns of thought.

Although, sometimes I could swear my German Shepherd is doing just that :)

Answer 8

An inflated sense of self-importance.

Answer 9

Language.

Consciousness.

Abstract thought.

Civilization.

High technology (not just tool use).

Ability to predict a future event.

Creativity and inventiveness.

Adaptability.

Answer 10

Laughter and verbalized language.


Edit: giving thumbs down. Only animal that can do it.