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There's a subreddit where people share photos and videos that can reveal animal consciousness, intelligence, and emotion. And let me tell you, the evidence is pretty convincing.

Created in 2013, r/LikeUs has over 1.8 million members, and over the years, the online community has collected loads of interesting and heartwarming content. Whether we're talking about a chimp who has a really good memory or a German Shepherd looking for help after his family's shed had caught on fire, r/LikeUs has it all.

Continue scrolling and check out some of the subreddit's all-time most popular posts.

#1

Love Of A Mother

Love Of A Mother

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glowworm2
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is Scarlett. This occurred back in March 30, 1996. Unfortunately, one of the kittens got sick from a virus and died a month later, but the others all survived and were adopted. Scarlett lived on until 2008.

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As an introduction to the subreddit, one of its moderators u/gugulo, advises people to read "Are We in Anthropodenial?" by Dutch primatologist and ethologist, Frans de Waal.

"r/LikeUs is a place to gather and discuss evidence showing animal consciousness, intelligence, and emotion. [It] is not simply another version of r/aww. Posts that are cute but show little intelligent or emotional behavior do not belong here," another moderator, u/sydbobyd, explained.

#2

She Barks To Call Him. He Comes, They Rub And Greet Each Other And They Go For A Walk

She Barks To Call Him. He Comes, They Rub And Greet Each Other And They Go For A Walk

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"r/LikeUs is also not the place to post examples of animals (or inanimate objects) simply posing/dressing like a human or being personified. This seems to be a common and understandable confusion of the subreddit name, but our goal is not to show animals who just happen or are manipulated by humans to look human.

"This will always leave gray areas of course, but we hope that this may alleviate some of the confusion we've seen lately," the moderator said.

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The moderators sort posts into 5 categories: 1) best content (think intelligent behavior, complex emotions, scientific articles, philosophy discussions), 2) good content (intentional behavior, unusual behavior, skillful behavior), 3) OK content (expressions, reactions, curiosity), 4) bad content (funny, cute, play), and 5) very bad content (misleading, fake, spam), and they clean up the subreddit accordingly. Needless to say, most of these posts belong at the top!

#5

A Pig Named Lulu Saved Her Owner’s Life While The Owner Was Having A Heart Attack. The Pig Heard The Cries For Help, Forced Her Way Out Of The Yard And Ran Into The Road And ‘Played Dead’ To Stop The Traffic. A Driver Stopped And The Pig LED Him To The Trailer, He Heard The Woman And Called 911

A Pig Named Lulu Saved Her Owner’s Life While The Owner Was Having A Heart Attack. The Pig Heard The Cries For Help, Forced Her Way Out Of The Yard And Ran Into The Road And ‘Played Dead’ To Stop The Traffic. A Driver Stopped And The Pig LED Him To The Trailer, He Heard The Woman And Called 911

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#6

They Support Each Other

They Support Each Other

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Lis Daglish
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While all of these reaffirm how we underestimate vastly the emotional and logical intelligence in animals, Grey Parrots blow my mind. You may well know of Alex, the African Grey, who was studied for years as he learnt; primary colours, shapes textures, names. At one point, he looked at himself in a mirror and ASKED ‘what colour Alex?’ The implications are both heart enriching, and heartbreaking at the same time.

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After years of taking care of the subreddit, moderators have learned a lot about animals themselves. "Mammals have a really good memory. Some orangutans learn how to fish, [and dogs can know] they're at the vet," the team writes. "Having such good memories means they remember their suffering. For instance, [some cows were recorded being happy for returning to pasture after a long winter."

#7

Admiring Baby Like Us

Admiring Baby Like Us

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#9

This Is How A Baby Gorilla And A Baby Human React To A Cold Stethoscope

This Is How A Baby Gorilla And A Baby Human React To A Cold Stethoscope

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"Emotionally, mammals are very developed, like us. They share with us many of our feelings, such as fear and love. Their emotions can be every bit as troubling as ours. They can be depressed so much, they won't even eat!"

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#10

They Better Have Regular Play Dates From Here On Out

They Better Have Regular Play Dates From Here On Out

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#11

Just Two Curious Kids

Just Two Curious Kids

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#12

Neighbor's Corgi Was Sneaking Onto Her Property At Night And Riding Her Pony

Neighbor's Corgi Was Sneaking Onto Her Property At Night And Riding Her Pony

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"Even our distant relatives, the cetaceans are very aware and very playful fellows. [One] Humpback Whale, for instance, realizes she's been saved from a fishing net and lets her rescuers know she is thankful," the moderators recalled some of the best content.

#14

Dog Intentionally Fake Coughs To Get More Attention, If This Isn’t Intelligent Behaviour I Don’t Know What Is

Dog Intentionally Fake Coughs To Get More Attention, If This Isn’t Intelligent Behaviour I Don’t Know What Is

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#15

Silverback And His Son, Calmly Observe A Caterpillar

Silverback And His Son, Calmly Observe A Caterpillar

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"Non-mammal animals on the other hand appear to be quite different from us, but birds always find ways to puzzle us. Apparently, they like to have fun! The crow is probably the smartest bird there is! Birds, in general, are very aware of what their peers are doing."

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The moderators say that evidence of animals' consciousness is everywhere! So every time you find some, remember to share it with them.

#17

This Is Dawn The Orangutan. She Saw Zoo Workers Cleaning Off After A Shift. So Dawn Stole A Cloth And Now She Cleans Off Everyday Too

This Is Dawn The Orangutan. She Saw Zoo Workers Cleaning Off After A Shift. So Dawn Stole A Cloth And Now She Cleans Off Everyday Too

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#18

Pikin, A Gorilla Rescued From The Bushmeat Trade, Is Comforted By Her Caretaker Appolinaire On The Way To A Forest Sanctuary

Pikin, A Gorilla Rescued From The Bushmeat Trade, Is Comforted By Her Caretaker Appolinaire On The Way To A Forest Sanctuary

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Questions about animal consciousness — especially, which animals have consciousness and what (if anything) that consciousness might be like — are both scientific and philosophical. They are scientific because answering them requires gathering information using scientific techniques and they are philosophical because progress will ultimately require interdisciplinary work by philosophers willing to engage with the empirical details of animal biology, as well as scientists who are sensitive to the philosophical complexities of the issue.

Analyzing this topic often raises more questions than it answers, but it would be of little interest if it were otherwise.

#19

Rats Are Very Empathetic

Rats Are Very Empathetic

University of Chicago Medical Center Report

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People have a lot to learn from rats... From all animals to be honest :/

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#20

Doggo Trying To Protect Owner From Being Burned

Doggo Trying To Protect Owner From Being Burned

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#21

You Should Come Out Here The Sun Is Nice Charles

You Should Come Out Here The Sun Is Nice Charles

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For many philosophers, the topic of animal consciousness is no longer only of peripheral interest; there is increasing interest in animal cognition from a range of philosophical perspectives, including ethics, philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of science.

Philosophers working in all of these areas are increasingly attentive to the particular details of scientific theory, methods, and results.

Many scientists and philosophers believe that the groundwork has been laid for addressing at least some of the questions about animal consciousness in a philosophically sophisticated yet empirically tractable way. However, there are critics from both sides: on the one hand are those who still think that subjective phenomena are beyond the pale of scientific research, and on the other are those who think that science and philosophy have not moved far enough or fast enough to recognize animal consciousness. And the arguments on both sides are by no means exhausted.

#23

Momma Sea Otter Making Sure Her Kid Is Comfy

Momma Sea Otter Making Sure Her Kid Is Comfy

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#25

Dog Learns To Talk By Using Buttons That Have Different Words, Actively Building Sentences By Herself

Dog Learns To Talk By Using Buttons That Have Different Words, Actively Building Sentences By Herself

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Paula Raymundo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, I recognize that. Hunger4 words on instagram. That smart doggo is Stella. :D

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#26

Momma Cat Bringing Fish For Kitten

Momma Cat Bringing Fish For Kitten

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Konpat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My silly cat once brought a lump of old bread for her kittens, it was all she could find outside 😂

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#27

Showing Affection For Mother

Showing Affection For Mother

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#28

Cow Experimenting With Condensation

Cow Experimenting With Condensation

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ZZAM
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"blazin'.... just kidding it's from my Mac n' cheese" (first thing that came to mind)

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#29

Bird Uses His Own Feather For Some Satisfying Head Scritches

Bird Uses His Own Feather For Some Satisfying Head Scritches

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Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They have started using tools... they are definitely in their stone age

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#30

Shedd Aquarium's Penguins Continue Exploring The Empty Aquarium During Its Closure

Shedd Aquarium's Penguins Continue Exploring The Empty Aquarium During Its Closure

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Xenon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love that some aquariums and zoos did this. The animals were actually missing having human spectators and were getting bored. So they let animals (and shelter dogs, etc) walk around and check out the other animals and fish. Win win for everyone.

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#31

Curious Cows Investigate A Strange Visitor In Their Field

Curious Cows Investigate A Strange Visitor In Their Field

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M O'Connell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cows are exceptionally curious, and very easily distracted. Every cow expression means "What's that?" on a spectrum between excited curiosity, and concerned fear.

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#32

White Rhino Calf Chases Conservation Vets Away After Waking Up And Thinking They Were Hurting Her

White Rhino Calf Chases Conservation Vets Away After Waking Up And Thinking They Were Hurting Her

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#33

Orangutan Couple Walking In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Orangutan Couple Walking In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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