Why We're So Drawn to Animals: It's In Our Brains

Who can pass the window of a pet store without pausing to look at the puppies or parakeets? Researchers at Caltech have found that our brains have individual cells that “fire” specifically when we see an animal — a dog, a spider, a mouse — but not a person, place or object.

Christof Koch and other researchers discovered the cells while studying the brains of 41 neurosurgical patients who were about to have surgery for severe epilepsy, as reported in Nature Neuroscience. Electrodes were placed deep in the patients’ brains to find the source of their seizures. Researchers took note about how various parts of the brain responded to seeing certain images. They found that only the amygdala — an almond-shaped region of the brain associated with emotions including fear — had cells that responded when seeing images of animals:

That makes sense, Koch says because the amygdala “seems to be specialized in alerting us to things that are emotionally important to us — either positive or because they’re scary.”

And animals are both, he says. Some want to eat us. Others could be our dinner. And, of course, some we just want to cuddle.

“We found in one patient a cell that I call the “Peter Rabbit cell” because it responded to three very cute images,” says Koch. “One was a rabbit, one was a white snow hare and the third one was a cute little mouse.”

Koch speculates that this particular neural response to seeing animals ”may reflect the importance that animals held throughout our evolutionary past.” As he says in NPR:

One reason present-day humans have these cells may be because some animals posed a threat to our ancestors, Koch says. Specialized cells could have helped the brain respond quickly to danger, he says.

Koch says he was reminded of how important a quick response can be during a recent run along a mountainous trail in Los Angeles.

“As I was about to step down I saw there was a rattlesnake,” he says. “By the time I realized it, by the time I felt fear, you say, oh my god there’s a snake, I had already automatically extended my legs, my stride was larger so I didn’t step on the snake.”

Behavioral studies have found that people respond with more attention when seeing an animal or person than something stationary, like a building. After all, chairs, bridges and books just stay as they are, while animals (and, indeed, humans) can go from friendly to hostile and vice versa in a matter of moments. University of California at Davis anthropologist Lynne Isbell points out that animals have been around far longer than buildings. As she says, “if we didn’t pay attention to them then, you know, that might not have been such a good idea.”

Our brains have simply evolved to take notice of animals first: Perhaps this is why so many of us feel ourselves inexorably drawn to animals, from those pups in the window to pictures and even stories about animals. Sometime way back in our very distant past, we learned that, when it comes to creatures four-footed and crawling on the ground, we’d best take notice and this habit remains deeply embedded in us today.

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Read more: animals, bird, brain, brain cell, dog, evolution, pet, snake

Photo by _tar0_

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sheri S.

7:57PM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

Thank heavens for that cell that "fires" when we see the animals. It is telling us that if we want true love and pure acceptance of us as we are, we need to own an animal.

send a green star

Mary Beth M.

11:37AM PDT on Apr 27, 2012

I wonder if damage or malformation to the amygdala could explain animal abuse?

Marie Eve L.

5:02PM PST on Jan 26, 2012

Animals have a beating heart likes ours and just because they can't talk to express their feelings doesn't mean people can hurt them like it's some kind of object. I think people that really care and stand up for animal rights are Real humans. It's sad to say that the more I know about people, the better I like my dogs.

carol k.

7:53AM PST on Nov 23, 2011

animals and man were created by God on the 6th day. God made the animals to be companions, so the bond was made by God and placed in the minds and hearts of each man and animal. Sin came and corrupted that bond. When Jesus returns , He will make it as it was first created to be. Peaceful, loving, and no death.Even so Return Lord Jesus.

Cathy N.

11:28PM PST on Nov 22, 2011

~I've always had dogs as pets growing up and I have always had a dog or two from the time I left home~I've had cats but I am a dog lover through and through!!~

Dee Dee L.

8:57PM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

I like animals more then I do most other humans. Its hard to pass up buying a puppy or a kitten in a pet store cause they are so cute...But in most cases they came from puppy/kitten mills and I don't support that. One day I wish to open a pet store that works with haven human and other animal rescues in adopting animals....so animals would still be in a pet store but not sold but adopted.

Sisilie B.

5:01PM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

I have always felt such a strong bond with animals, every since I was a kid.

Dianne D.

3:31PM PDT on Sep 11, 2011

In my opinion, animals have all the attributes that we wish we had, especially the one of not judging. I think animals are the ears and eyes of God and cannot speak so not to give away their mission while here on earth.

heather g.

12:50AM PDT on Sep 9, 2011

Reading these positive messages from members is heartwarming - because I often think most people don't look at our world holistically. We are all one ....

A friend sent me a moving video this evening. It shows gorillas that have been captive for many years in a HIV lab which has closed down. Their door is opened to the outside and they hesitantly look up at the sky - then there are huge toothy smiles and lots of hugs when they realize that they're finally free. We need to remain vigilant to protect animals against cruelties inflicted by humans........

Lisa Z.

12:21AM PDT on Sep 9, 2011

I adore my pets! I don't like most humans because they stab you in the back every chance they get!!! :(