zaro

Which animal cries like a man?

Published in Animal Behavior 2 mins read

Based on observations, gorillas are the animal most closely associated with crying like a man.

Gorillas and Emotional Tears

While many animals display signs of distress, gorillas stand out for their ability to express emotions through tears, much like humans.

  • Emotional Similarities: According to observations, gorillas exhibit emotional responses similar to humans, including sadness, grief, and empathy.
  • Observed Tears: Gorillas have been seen shedding tears in response to emotional situations, suggesting a complex emotional depth. These are not simply physiological responses, but seemingly expressions of feelings. This is according to reference 2.
    • Reference: "Gorillas have been observed shedding tears in response to emotional situations, suggesting they may have similar feelings to humans."

Other Animals and Crying

While other animals may exhibit crying, it’s often not the same as the tearful emotional expression seen in humans and gorillas.

  • Elephants: Elephants are also noted for displaying emotions through tears, particularly in times of grief. However, the tears are observed more in times of distress than a direct representation of a human-like cry (Reference 1).
    • Reference: "Elephants are known to cry tears of emotion, especially during times of grief or distress."


Animal Crying Behavior Emotional Depth Human-Like Cry
Gorillas Shed tears in emotional situations; display sadness and grief. High Yes
Elephants Cry tears of emotion, particularly in times of grief; observed more in distress. Moderate Possibly


In conclusion, while some animals display tears in response to distress, gorillas are highlighted for expressing human-like emotional tears.