The Science of Animal JOY 🐺💖

Last Hours! ⏰ Black Friday Sale! ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­

Because joy isn't just a human thing – it's a whole-animal-kingdom thing. The holidays can be a lot – twinkly lights, cookies everywhere, family members asking why you're still single. But underneath all the chaos, there's this universal hum of joy. And guess what? Animals feel it too. Not the "I must survive" kind, but the pure, unnecessary, wholesome kind – the same joy we chase during December when we put on fuzzy pajamas and blast Mariah Carey. So this week, we're celebrating Animal Joy – the little moments of delight that remind us we're not the only ones capable of giggling, dancing, snuggling, or squealing with excitement. Yep. Scientists discovered that rats emit tiny ultrasonic giggles when tickled – basically invisible baby laughter. They even chase your hand like, "EXCUSE ME, SIR, ONE MORE ROUND." This is the kind of energy we all need at holiday parties. Cows have best friends, and when they reunite after a little time apart, they literally kick their legs, hop, and run around. Imagine your BFF showing up at the door with hot cocoa and you both just yeet yourselves into the snow from excitement. Octopuses don't need toys to survive – they just… like them. Some play with Legos, some like floating pill bottles, and some chuck rubber duckies across their tanks like "BEHOLD MY POWER." Joy, but make it eight-armed. And not randomly – parrots respond to rhythm. If you change the tempo, THEY CHANGE THE TEMPO. They have musicality, groove, and better moves than most people at office holiday parties. A "chuff" is like a soft, breathy snort: phffttt–hufff. It's how tigers say "HI I LIKE YOU" without mauling anyone. They chuff at friends, caretakers, and sometimes even at each other just because they're vibing. When wombats are feeling especially joyful and affectionate, they give their caretakers gentle little nose boops. It's soft. It's tender. It's the kind of holiday affection we all deserve – no drama, just boop. Nutasha and I have been conducting our own extensive research on joy this week. Turns out my joy comes from discovering 47 forgotten walnut stashes, and Nutasha's joy comes from watching me dig through the wrong trees for 20 minutes. But that's the beauty of it – joy is weird, wonderful, and deeply personal. And the whole world is wired for it. So whatever your version looks like – dancing, booping, holiday munching, or chuffing softly into the void – we hope you let yourself feel it.  Your friend,    The "Certified Joy Researcher" Squirrel Wait… Really? You're already looking for the Unsubscribe. button? Well, just know we have a pigeon army, and they WILL find you. But go ahead… Hit that button and see what happens.