BBC_Science_Focus_-_08.2019

JULES

HOWARD

Zoologist,

science writer

THIS ISSUE’S EXPERTS

DR CHRISTIAN

JARRETT

Neuroscientist,

science writer

DR ALASTAIR

GUNN

Astronomer,

astrophysicist

ALEX FRANKLIN-

CHEUNG

Environment/

climate expert

LUIS

VILLAZON

Science/tech

writer

PROF ROBERT

MATTHEWS

Physicist,

science writer

DR HELEN

SCALES

Oceans expert,

science writer

DR PETER

J BENTLEY

Computer

scientist, author

CHARLOTTE

CORNEY

Zoo director,

conservationist

PROF ALICE

GREGORY

Psychologist,

sleep expert

DR HILARY

GUITE

Former GP,

science writer

DR EMMA

DAVIES

Chemistry expert,

science writer

Q

&

A

GETTY IMAGES

JENNY HARRIS, SUTTON

DO ANIMALS GET EMBARRASSED?

It’s hard to imagine that a pug dressed up as a hot dog doesn’t feel embarrassed, especially

if it’s displaying expressions that we normally associate with that emotion, such as looking

away. But perhaps the dog is just uncomfortable in the costume, or even scared. Likewise,

an animal which has done something we deem to be naughty or silly might appear to be

embarrassed, when it’s actually just responding to our body language and anticipating

a reaction from us. While scientists agree that some animals are capable of experiencing

basic emotions, a lack of research means that the jury is still out on these more

complex ones.CC

ALL YOUR

QUESTIONS

ANSWERED