Have you ever wondered if animals can feel the very same emotions as people do? Do they cry when they are sad or unhappy?  Well, while all animals do shed tears to lubricate their eyes and to get rid of irritants, only mammals, birds and fish do produce tears and emit cries when they are in distress. 

For instance, baby elephants and bear cubs produce a very sad, keening sound when they are separated from their mothers. Similarly, the dugong (a large, gentle marine mammal that  lives in the Indian Ocean) sheds tears when in trouble or in pain. Thus, certain groups of animals do express feelings of pain and fear through crying.

Sources:
1) Maneka Gandhi (09/12/2008). Mammals And Birds Cry Like Human Beings. Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Bihar Times. Website:http://www.bihartimes.com

2) Colin Tudge, (02/08/1999). Chimps Don’t Talk, But They Do Cry. Retrieved 6 July, 2009 from NewStatesMan.Website: http://www.newstatesman.com

For more information on animals and their emotions, check out these books!

The emotional lives of animals : a leading scientist explores animal joy, sorrow, and empathy- and why they matter by Marc Bekoff
Call Number:English 591.5 BEK -[ANI]

Animal happiness : a moving exploration of animals and their emotions by Vicki Hearne
Call Number: English 636 HEA -[ANI]

Minding animals : awareness, emotions, and heart by Marc Bekoff
Call Number:English 591.5 BEK -[ANI]

Originally answered by Michelle Kwok
Librarian
Adults & Young People’s Services