A note on how play affects the development of animal behavior.

1. SYED MUHAMMAD KHAN (BS HONS. ZOOLOGY)
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Play & the Development of Animal
Behavior
Play is defined as a range of voluntary and internally motivated activities (spontaneous
actions), normally associated with enjoyment and recreational pleasure, which aren't
usually related to a direct and immediate increase of survival (or fitness) of the organism.
Play in Various Animal Classes: Play is considered as an activity almost exclusive of
mammals (it's known that almost 80% of mammals show different expressions of play),
due to their highly developed nervous system in contrast to other organisms. Play has
also been observed with less frequency on birds, and it also exists in other animal groups,
such as reptiles, amphibians, or even fish, because some of them have shown
rudimentary forms of play (mostly in captivity).
Age Group and Play: Play has been considered an activity exclusive of young individuals,
but the truth is that some animals (especially primates) keep playing during adulthood.
Difference between Play and other Behaviors: The main difference between play and any
other typical animal behavior (i.e. exploration of the environment), is creativity. When
playing, an animal usually tries to manipulate objects or make new combinations of
movements, in a controlled environment. The main objective of play is not to directly
improve the survival of the animal, but to learn about its limits and abilities.
TYPES OF PLAY AND THEIR FUNCTION:
Play has different types, its meaning changes from youth to adulthood, and it can be
accomplished individually or in a group along with other individuals. Various types of play
are as follows:

2. SYED MUHAMMAD KHAN (BS HONS. ZOOLOGY)
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Parental-Bonding Play: During the early months of an animal's life, the establishment of
emotional bonds between parents (especially mothers) and their offspring is an essential
fact to assure both cognitive (mental) and emotional development. Despite being
rudimentary, some gestures or actions which mothers and their youths establish (tickling,
vocalizations, gazes) can be considered as different forms of play that allow offspring to
react and develop. Chimpanzees’ mothers touch and tickle softly their young since the
moment they are born, despite the fact they do not begin to respond to these stimuli until
6 months later. Chimpanzees’ mothers let other young chimpanzees to approach and
interact with her baby after these 6 months.
Movement and Body Play: Jumping, running, stretching the body, or even vocalizing (e.g.
by singing or growling) are activities that benefit animals. The body play allows animals
to test the limits of their own body and of their surrounding environment (How far can I
jump? What effect has the gravity on my own body? Am I flexible enough to stretch my
body and reach the next branch?). Movement play produces a feeling of joy in animals.
It helps animals to earn self-confidence and it seems to have an important effect on brain
organization.
Object Play: Using objects during play is a usual fact in primates, but there exist other
animals that also use them. The selected object acquires different and unique
characteristics for the organism, which use it to have fun. The greater the level of
manipulation of the object is, the bigger is the development of neural connections. For
example, dolphins enjoy creating rings of bubbles. Manipulation and use of objects in play
are well correlated with the ability of adults to solve problems, i.e. it prepares them for
problem-solving in the future/adult life.
Social Play: Social play refers to playing with peers/friends/siblings. It is not only the
enjoyment of playing with other organisms the main benefit of social play, but the

3. SYED MUHAMMAD KHAN (BS HONS. ZOOLOGY)
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acquirement of abilities and behaviors that will be of major importance during adulthood.
Some social play allows organisms to develop social skills (interaction) by the
establishment of different codes of conduct and rules. At the same time, in some
organisms (whether wolfs, primates or deer, carnivorous or herbivorous) social play
prepares them to face a wide range of situations that will take place in adulthood, but in
a safe and controlled environment, i.e. fights, bites and tests of strength, etc.
Many animals in captivity, that don’t have a partner to play with or maybe that play in non-
natural conditions, fail to establish healthy relations with other members of their species
and can’t live in their original environment.
Imaginative, Creative, and Narrative Play: Among all animals, primates are the most
playful animals, they have developed play in a more complex way.
 Imaginative Play – the ability to create an imaginary universe and an own sense of
your mind.
 Storytelling-Narrative Play – development of a story with a main narrative thread,
permitting us to expand our inner stream of consciousness.
 Creative Play – drawing, music, sculpture, etc.
These are only a few examples of the most complex forms of play. The maximum
expression of all these forms of play takes place in humans.