Animals at play

Animals play. Anyone who has ever had a dog or a cat knows this. And it is not just young animals. Even an old dog enjoys a game a fetch, as long as it's a short game.

Yet for a long time animal play was virtually ignored by science. In his 2024 book Kingdom of Play, David Toomey reviews what researchers from Charles Darwin to present-day scholars have had to say on the subject.

The observation of wild animals leads to surprises. Who knew that turtles play? Or fish? Can you imagine adult elephants sliding down muddy hillsides and delightfully crashing into each other at the bottom?

Mostly scientists are curious about why animals play. What are the benefits? Does it help with mating or self-defense? Some studies suggest play helps animals prepare for the unexpected. Piglets have been observed running wildly and deliberately tumbling. Does this help prepare them for the unexpected when they are being pursued?

The most obvious explanation for play seems to be the one scientists most want to avoid: Play is fun. It breaks up the routine. Perhaps some birds play catch in the sky — dropping objects so others can catch them — for the same reason children play catch — or hide and seek, Monopoly or whatever. It's fun. If animal play helps with hunting or mating or escaping predators, perhaps that's just an unintentional bonus.

Two of the most interesting findings in Toomey's book are these:

First, play among animals, as with humans, seems to lead to innovation. Play can help with problem-solving.

Second, dreaming may be a form of playing. Sections of the brain that are active during play are also active when we dream.