Animal Body Language Basics

Have you ever wondered what birds are saying to one another when they chirp outside your window? Why dogs mark their territory by peeing on things when you take them for a walk? Why your rabbit thumps their back feet? Or, why your cat hisses at the cat next door?  Although you probably can't understand what they're saying, they're certainly communicating with each other and the world around them.

Animals experience a range of emotions including happiness, excitement, fear, and anger. Animals can communicate how they are feeling, as well as their wants and their needs, with one another in a variety of ways. Their communication might be in the form of scent, sound, sight, body language, touch or even a combination of senses.

Body language is one way an animal can give us signals about how they are feeling. Knowing what an animal is telling you with their body, can help you understand how they are feeling, so that you can respond in safe and positive ways.

Check out the infographics below to learn the basics of animal body language.