Question

This gorilla sure looks angry. But can animals really think and feel? Crossed arms are an example of what people call body language or non-verbal communication. Can you describe any incident in the form of a story and give a suitable title.

Answer 1

                Non- Verbal Communication

It is a universal truth: just because you aren't talking doesn't mean you aren't communicating! Rachel knows this well. Her new baby expresses his needs without talking, and her nephew has developmental challenges and can't speak, but still uses movement and sounds to communicate his feelings. And of course, people she sees every day convey meaning with hands, face, or posture.

Rachel is a zoologist, and she never ceases wondering at the way this truth applies to nonhumans too. Animals communicate among themselves as well as with humans.

Nonhuman primates such as monkeys and gorillas are stars in the business of nonverbal communication. They have a large repertoire of gestures, and it appears they can tell when the message they are trying to convey is not understood.

At the zoo where she works, Rachel has noted that if a gorilla does not get the response they are expecting, they may use a different gesture to try and clarify their intent, just as a human would.

Primates can also use gestural communication to head off unpleasant interactions. A dominant male ape might use a threatening body stance, a fierce stare, or an angry facial expression to warn off another tribe member who is irritating or challenging him.

Our pets, particularly dogs and cats, are great subjects for study in the area of nonverbal interaction. Just as she would with wild creatures at her job, Rachel observes her dogs Rufus and Candy communicating with each other.

Many of their expressions correspond with similar behaviors among their wild canine cousins like wolves. A direct stare can mean a challenge, bending forward with rump high and tail wagging is an invitation to play, and rolling over to show belly may be acknowledging a superior.

Showing belly communicates submission among dogs.

dog body language

When Rachel visits her sister, she notices how her cats use their mobile tails to gesture. A vertical position is playful, and horizontal is friendly, but a tail between the legs is fearful and defensive. Their facial expressions and ears are also vital links to communication. Flattened ears are recognized as signals of fear or aggression, for example.