Mutual Aid · Chapter
IV: Sociability of Animals explained
This chapter explores the sociable nature of animals, arguing that sociability is more pronounced in regions where animals are less hunted by humans.
What happens
This chapter explores the sociable nature of animals, arguing that sociability is more pronounced in regions where animals are less hunted by humans. It provides examples of bears, hares, foxes, and prairie dogs living in groups, and discusses the role of play in developing social bonds among young mammals.
Themes in this chapter
Sociability in Nature
The chapter provides numerous examples of animals living in groups, challenging the notion that isolation is the natural state.
Characters to notice
- Karl Kessler
Professor Kessler is cited for his observation that young broods of birds staying together in autumn fosters sociability.
- Charles John Cornish
Mr. C. J. Cornish is referenced for his work 'Animals at Work and Play', providing examples of animal sociability and play.
- Charles Gross
Karl Gross is mentioned for his book 'The Play of Animals', which examines play behavior in animals.
Key passages
“That the sociability of animals was greater when they were less hunted by man, is confirmed by many facts showing that those animals who now live isolated in countries inhabited by man continue to live in herds in uninhabited regions.”
Animals are more social in areas with minimal human hunting, as evidenced by species that live in herds in remote regions but are solitary near humans.
This introduces the chapter's central argument that human activity reduces animal sociability.
“All animals, he truly remarks, hate solitude.”
According to Mr. Cornish, all animals dislike being alone.
Highlights the universal tendency toward sociability in animals.