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“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
AnimalsJUN 19, 2026

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New

Gabija Palšytė
Robyn Smith
Gabija Palšytė and Robyn Smith
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Dirty, disgusting, disease-carrying, evil-looking, dangerous and scary. Some animals get a bad rep from humans, who fail to see them for what they truly are: sentient beings that share the planet with us.
Pigeons, for example, are often called the filthy rats of the sky. But these feathered creatures are actually obsessive about preening and can feel a wide range of emotions like love, grief, fear, and anger. Rats, meanwhile, aren’t too different. The furry rodents are highly emotionally intelligent and experience joy, empathy, fear, and sadness.
Mother Nature doesn't create monsters... That's the message woven into every post on an Instagram account aptly called Adorable Beasts. It features animals of all shapes and sizes, along with interesting facts and stories that encourage us to look at many in a different light.
Bored Panda has put together a list of some of the most fascinating posts from the page. From one of the most dangerous birds on earth to some of the cutest creatures many have never heard of, each tells a story that might surprise you.

#1

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
In Japan, adopting a cat has one of the sweetest requirements: you need its official “signature”… with its paw. Shelters gently dip the kitten’s little paw in blue ink and stamp it on the adoption form. A tiny paw print that seals the bond between the new family and its newest member. 💙 A tiny mark… and the beginning of a completely new life
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It's a known fact that humans feel a range of emotions. But that same level of understanding is not always afforded to our friends in the animal kingdom. Animal sentience is the idea that animals have thoughts, feelings and individual personalities. And while not all animals are proven to be sentient, scientists say a vast majority are.

"Mammals, including primates, pigs, whales, dolphins, and dogs, have shown remarkable cognitive abilities, social interactions, and self-awareness, providing strong evidence of their sentience and capacity for conscious awareness," notes World Animal Protection Canada. "Scientists have even found complex neurons, once believed to be unique to humans, in several species of cetaceans, primates, and elephants."

But even animals that are brushed off as "cold-blooded" are believed to have feelings, too...

#2

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Veterinarians have observed that a cat needs only about three months with a person to remember them for life. Over years of practice, many veterinarians have seen cats recognize the scent, voice, and touch of someone they once loved — even long after separation.

A cat’s memory is deeper than many people imagine: smell, sound, and physical contact create emotional imprints that do not simply disappear.
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#3

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
In a quiet wooded area of Tennessee, United States, a fawn was born so rare that it left everyone who saw it speechless. The little one became famous for a truly unusual feature: its completely white face and intense blue eyes. It was photographed by Mark Carter, a passionate wildlife observer who came across this extraordinary animal near his home. The images quickly spread across the internet, attracting the attention of thousands of people around the world. According to experts, the fawn is not albino, but has an extremely rare genetic condition called piebaldism.
This is an inherited trait that causes a lack of pigmentation in certain areas of the body, creating very visible white patches on the coat. In this little deer’s case, the depigmentation affects almost the entire face, making it even rarer and more unique. Animals with piebaldism are extremely uncommon in nature and are believed to represent only a very small percentage of the deer population. That is why encounters like the one documented by Mark Carter are considered exceptional. Despite its fascinating appearance, animals with this trait can face greater challenges in the wild.
Their unusual coloring can make them more visible to predators and less camouflaged in their surroundings. Still, this little fawn continues to enchant everyone who sees its photos. Many people described its gaze as sweet, almost fairytale-like, while others called it a tiny miracle of nature. Its story is a reminder that the animal world can still surprise us with shapes, colors, and features that look like they came from a storybook. Sometimes nature creates something so rare that it almost seems unreal. And this little blue-eyed fawn with a white face is one of the most touching examples.
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According to experts, reptiles, amphibians and fish are just like vertebrates in that they have the physiological and neurological requirements for conscious experiences. "Their behaviour indicates that not only can they feel, but that their feelings matter to them," reveals the Canadian animal rights group.

An article in Discover magazine reveals that reptiles are actually highly emotional creatures. They are capable of feeling anxiety, stress, excitement, fear, frustration, pain, and suffering — just like us.

#4

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Ladybugs may look tiny and delicate, but they’re some of nature’s most fascinating little survivors. 🐞

ONE LADYBUG CAN TO 5,000 INSECTS. In its lifetime, this tiny hunter can devour huge numbers of aphids and other soft-bodied pests.

THEIR SPOTS DON'T REVEAL THEIR AGE. Spot number depends on the species. Some ladybugs have many spots, some have few, and some have none at all.

THEY HIDE DELICATE WINGS UNDER THEIR SHELLS .Those hidden wings let ladybugs lift off quickly when they need food, warmth, or safety.

IN WINTER, LADYBUGS HUDDLE TO SURVIVE. Many gather in cracks and sheltered places, forming tight groups that help them make it through the cold.

THERE ARE MORE THAn 5,000 SPECIES. Not every ladybug looks the same — colors, spots, and patterns can vary dramatically around the world.

WHEN THREATENED, THEY CAN 'BLEED.' Ladybugs can release yellow, foul-smelling defensive fluid that helps scare predators away.

LADYBUG BABIES DON'T LOOK CUTE AT FIRST. Their larvae are dark, spiky, and surprisingly fierce — and they often eat even more pests than the adults.

THEIR BRIGHT COLOR IS A WARNING. That famous red-and-black look tells many predators: I taste bad — leave me alone.

TINY, BEAUTIFUL... AND QUIETLY PROTECTIVE. By eating plant-damaging pests, ladybugs help flowers, gardens, and entire ecosystems thrive.
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#5

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Spain bans leaving dogs and cats living on balconies and terraces
Spain approved the Animal Welfare Law, a regulation that prohibits keeping dogs and cats habitually or permanently on terraces, balconies, rooftops, patios, or in vehicles.
The law states that companion animals must live inside the home and must not remain isolated in outdoor spaces for long periods of time.
Article 27 considers the continuous confinement or isolation of pets in these places an offence. Penalties for failing to comply may range from €500 to €10,000, and in certain aggravating circumstances fines may reach up to €50,000, according to current legislation.
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#6

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
This bird looks like it came straight from prehistoric times… but it is very real.
The cassowary may look calm, but it has razor-sharp claws, powerful legs, neon green eggs, and a dinosaur-like face that makes it one of the most fascinating birds on Earth.
It is not evil — it is shy, protective, and built for survival in the rainforest. But if it feels threatened, you definitely do not want to get too close.
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A 2019 review published in the journal Animals found 37 studies that showed evidence of reptiles’ capacity to feel.

"One of these studies, for instance, found that handling lizards caused an increase in their heart rate, indicating an emotional response," reports Discover. "Another found that red-footed tortoises exhibited anxiety-like behavior when placed in a new environment."

Some experts believe that these cold-blooded creatures are highly misunderstood.

“They don't follow the same sort of rules that birds or mammals follow, and so we understand them a lot less,” says conservationist JJ Apodaca, executive director of the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy. “That just leads to us often leaving them out of important policy or conservation efforts.”

#7

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Many people think dogs eat grass to “heal themselves,” but that idea can be misleading. Sometimes it’s just curiosity or taste — but if grass-eating is followed by repeated vomiting, yellow foam, loss of appetite, tiredness, or discomfort, it may be a sign that something deeper is going on.
Grass is not treatment. It can be a signal. Watch the pattern, not just the behavior. When in doubt, a vet check is always safer than waiting. Occasional grass-eating can be normal, but frequent vomiting or signs of illness should not be ignored.
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#8

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Most people see the mountain viscacha and think it is just a sleepy little bunny.
But this quiet animal is actually one of the Andes’ most fascinating survivors.
It lives high among rocks, cold nights, thin air, and harsh mountain conditions — often in places where life seems almost impossible. Its calm face is not laziness. It is survival: saving energy, warming in the sun, staying close to its colony, and moving carefully through the mountains.
It may look soft and funny, but behind that peaceful expression is an animal perfectly built for a difficult world.
Nature still hides creatures most people never hear about — and the mountain viscacha is one of them.
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#9

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Pigeons are often ignored as “just city birds,” but their lives are far more emotional than most people realize. They form strong pair bonds, care for their chicks together, and stay remarkably devoted to their families. Behind the streets and rooftops, there is loyalty, tenderness, and a quiet kind of love that usually goes unnoticed
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Even invertebrates like insects, cephalopods, and crustaceans are believed to feel a range of emotions, including pain and fear.

"[They] may not have the same anatomy and brain structures as we mammals do, but they are sentient," reads a 2021 WellBeing International review. The London-based researchers went as far as recommending that certain slaughter methods be banned when it comes to preparing seafood.

#10

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Do cats really understand what we say?
Not in the same way humans understand language — but they absolutely recognize more than many people think. Cats can learn to identify their owner’s voice, respond to their own name, notice when they are being addressed, and connect repeated words with specific actions or events.
That means your cat may not understand full sentences, but it can remember patterns like “food,” “come here,” or its name when those words are consistently linked to something meaningful. Tone matters too: a calm, soft voice can feel reassuring, while a sharp or tense tone can instantly change how your cat reacts.
So if your cat seems to ignore you, it does not always mean it did not hear you. Very often, it heard you perfectly — it just decided whether responding was worth the energy.
Cats are far more observant, sensitive, and emotionally aware than they are often given credit for.
What words does your cat understand best?
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#11

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
In 2025, a lost cat from Bangkok became a real internet star after biting and scratching police officers who were trying to rescue her. 🐱🚓 The feisty American Shorthair, named Nub Tang, was brought to the police station by a concerned passerby. But instead of showing gratitude, the fluffy troublemaker attacked several officers. As a joke, the police decided to “arrest” her: they took a full mugshot and even recorded her paw prints, just like a real criminal. A police officer posted the hilarious photos online, joking that the cat had been “charged with assaulting officers on duty” and was now waiting for her owner to post bail. The story instantly spread around the world, and the very next day, Nub Tang safely returned home to her owner.
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#12

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
This is a real dog. Volunteers found her in Druzhkivka, a frontline city in the Donetsk region, after she wandered into a food-coloring warehouse searching for something to eat. Her fur was completely stained green, but what matters most is that she was rescued, cared for, and is safe now. No animal should have to survive war, hunger, and fear alone.
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For example, they said that when it comes to lobsters, boiling alive, slowly raising the temperature of water, tailing (separation of the abdomen from the thorax, or separation of the head from the thorax), any other form of live dismemberment, and freshwater immersion (osmotic shock) would all be considered torment.

A number of other studies have found the same.

"The fact that pain [medications] developed for humans also work on Norway lobsters shows how similar we function," said Lynne Sneddon, a professor of zoophysiology at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. "That's why it's important to care about how we treat... crustaceans, just as we do with chickens and cows."

#13

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
At first glance, the gerenuk looks almost unreal — like an antelope that forgot how antelopes are supposed to stand.
But this strange animal is completely real. It can rise on its back legs to reach leaves other animals can’t, survive in dry lands with very little water, and even hide its babies for weeks to protect them from predators.
Nature really creates animals that look impossible.
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#14

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Most people would run if they saw this animal in the dark. The aye-aye looks like something from a nightmare, but it is actually one of the strangest primates on Earth. In parts of Madagascar, people once feared it as a living curse — some believed that if it pointed its long finger at someone, misfortune would follow. Because of that myth, this harmless animal has often been killed on sight. But the truth is even more shocking: tMost people would run if they saw this animal in the dark.

The aye-aye looks like something from a nightmare, but it is actually one of the strangest primates on Earth. In parts of Madagascar, people once feared it as a living curse — some believed that if it pointed its long finger at someone, misfortune would follow.

But the truth is even more shocking: that strange finger is not a weapon. It is a survival tool. The aye-aye taps on trees, listens for hollow spaces, then uses its long finger to pull insects from inside the wood.

Creepy-looking? Maybe.
Dangerous? Not to humans.
Misunderstood? Absolutely.hat strange finger is not a weapon. It is a survival tool. The aye-aye taps on trees, listens for hollow spaces, then uses its long finger to pull insects from inside the wood. Creepy-looking? Maybe. Dangerous? Not to humans. Misunderstood? Absolutely.
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#15

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
This tiny animal looks like a plush toy… but it is completely real. 🖤🤍
Meet the greater glider — one of Australia’s most unusual marsupials. It spends almost its whole life high in the trees, glides through the dark using skin membranes, eats mostly eucalyptus leaves, and depends on old forests to survive.
It may look cute and harmless, but its lifestyle is one of nature’s strangest survival stories.
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An article published in Live Science revealed that hermit crabs shocked inside their shells eventually abandoned their homes to avoid experiencing the painful stimulus.

"Octopus have shown even stronger clues about pain processing; in one widely cited study, they avoided places linked to injury and favored those associated with pain relief," it added.

The studies have prompted several countries like Britain, New Zealand and parts of America to change their policies when it comes to crabs, lobsters and octopuses.

The UK now recognizes these as sentient animals "capable of experiencing pain and suffering" under the 2022 Animal Welfare Act, while California and Washington have banned octopus farming entirely, citing "inhumane practices."

#16

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
In January 2026, Scotland officially adopted the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act, becoming the first part of the United Kingdom where the law requires special “bird bricks” to be installed in new buildings, where appropriate and technically possible.
Bird bricks are small built-in nesting spaces that help birds such as swifts, sparrows, and starlings survive in cities. As old buildings are replaced by modern, sealed constructions, many birds lose the tiny gaps and cavities where they used to build their nests. Because of this, their numbers across the UK have been declining.
Conservation organizations have called this law an important step for protecting urban biodiversity. These structures are inexpensive, long-lasting, and can be installed during construction with almost no extra cost. Scientists and wildlife experts believe that such simple changes in building design could play an important role in helping rare urban bird populations recover.
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#17

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
On March 7, a pet shop owner in China, surnamed Sun, found a grey pet carrier at the entrance of her shop. From inside came a sad, pleading meow. Curled up inside was a striped cat. Next to him were a crumpled handwritten note and a neatly tied bundle of small bills. The note revealed that the cat had been left by an elderly man from another city. The next day, the man was supposed to undergo surgery, and he realized he would no longer be able to care for his pet. So instead of abandoning him on the street, he tried to find him a better home. A heartbreaking goodbye… but also one last act of love.
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#18

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Ya Ya’s story is one of the most emotional panda stories of recent years. 🐼🤍
Ya Ya was born at Beijing Zoo on August 3, 2000. In April 2003, when she was still young, she was sent to the Memphis Zoo in the United States together with male panda Le Le, as part of a long-term panda loan agreement between China and the zoo.
For almost 20 years, Ya Ya lived far from China. The original agreement was later extended in 2013, meaning Ya Ya and Le Le stayed in Memphis until the loan period was set to end in 2023.
But in the final years, Ya Ya’s appearance started to worry people online. Photos showed her with thin fur and a fragile look. Memphis Zoo said she had a chronic skin and fur condition, and that it did not affect her quality of life, but many animal lovers around the world still felt deeply concerned.
In February 2023, Le Le sadly passed away at Memphis Zoo, shortly before he was expected to return to China with Ya Ya. His passing made people even more emotional and increased public attention around Ya Ya’s health and return.
Then, on April 27, 2023, Ya Ya finally arrived back in China after two decades abroad. She later returned to Beijing Zoo, the place where her life began.
Recent photos of Ya Ya looking healthier and calmer have touched millions of hearts. For many people, her transformation is not just about appearance — it feels like the story of an animal finally coming home, being cared for, and slowly recovering.
Ya Ya’s journey reminds us that animals are not just attractions. They are living beings with stories, emotions, and lives that matter.
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As we've already noted, it's still unclear whether all animals are sentient or feel pain. But it's fair to say that when in doubt, let's err on the side of compassion and consider that they too experience a range of emotions... just like us.

“Never believe that animals suffer less than humans. Pain is the same for them that it is for us. Even worse, because they cannot help themselves.” — Louis J. Camuti, Italian veterinarian.

#19

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
At first glance, the harpy eagle looks like something from a myth.
A bird with a stare so intense that people often call it a “monster”… but in reality, it is one of the most powerful and fascinating eagles on Earth.
Hidden deep in the rainforests, this giant predator hunts high above the ground, where monkeys and sloths move through the canopy. Its talons can be larger than a grizzly bear’s claws, yet attacks on humans are extremely rare.
What makes this bird even more surprising is that behind that fierce face is a devoted parent. Harpy eagles raise only one chick every few years, protecting it carefully in the forest they depend on to survive.
The real tragedy? When the rainforest disappears, this incredible bird disappears with it.
Nature doesn’t create monsters. Sometimes it creates creatures so powerful that humans simply don’t know how to understand them.
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#20

“Stands Like A Human”: 35 Surprising Facts And Stories About Animals That Might Teach You Something New
Behind the cute face, red pandas are far stranger than most people imagine.
They are not actually pandas — they belong to their own unique family, Ailuridae. The name “panda” was used for them before giant pandas became famous. They also have a hidden “extra thumb,” an enlarged wrist bone that helps them grip bamboo and branches.
Their body may look made for bamboo, but biologically they come from carnivores, so bamboo gives them very little energy. That is why they spend so much time resting, sleeping, and saving strength. They can even climb down trees headfirst thanks to their flexible ankles.
In winter, their thick fur protects them from the cold — even the soles of their feet are covered in fur, helping them walk on snow and grip icy branches. Their fluffy tail is not just cute either: it helps with balance and can wrap around them like a blanket.
They are mostly solitary, active around dawn and dusk, and when threatened, they may stand up on their back legs to look bigger. Baby red pandas are born blind and helpless, hidden in nests while their mother protects and moves them if danger comes close.
And the most heartbreaking fact: fewer than 10,000 mature red pandas may remain in the wild.
Cute, rare, fragile — and disappearing quietly.
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