On Wed June 5, Julia Thompson asked if a zebra living alone could become psychotic. All equines are highly social and become 'depressed,' for lack of a better term, if they are isolated. (They may under- or over-eat, exhibit odd behavior such as pacing or 'weaving' in their enclosure, become hyper-irritable or lethargic or even vicious, etc.) However, their companion does not have to be of the same species. Someone mentioned a goat - there are actually racehorses whose travelling companions ARE goats. Other 'friends' have included dogs, cats, pigs, donkeys and even camels.
BTW, I think a query on animals' morality was raised (I tried to find the reference, but must have deleted that digest - sorry); while they certainly don't have a formal ethical system, there are examples of behavior that could be interpreted as, if not strictly moral, then compassionate or concerned. Nearly everyone who has had a close relationship with a pet dog or cat can tell stories about the animal's response to their sick owner, or a retarded child, or another creature in distress. They empathize. Social animals and domesticated pets understand hierarchy, and usually conform to herd or pack standards of behavior - or face the consequences. A bullying yearling may find the lead mare between it and the foal it was harassing, and be banished to the edge of the herd for a "time-out." A misbehaving dog, horse or cat will usually accept correction for 'breaking the known rules,' but excessive punishment will often elicit some form of retaliation. "That wasn't fair!" Adults will frequently defend a threatened youngster, even if they aren't related - do they 'hope' or 'expect' reciprocal protection for their own offspring, or is this the beginning of altruism? Emotions, understanding rules of behavior, sense of what is 'fair'...sounds like the foundation for morality to me... Debbi (who wonders about the feasibility of becoming a pet psychic... <G-and-snort!>) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com
