I gotcha. Circumstances worse than death for an animal? -being the subject of medical/chemical testing -being starved or dehydrated -dying of an untreated disease Basically, extreme pain or suffering physically. I do sometimes wonder, however, if a dog that is tied up in a backyard for its entire life with practically no human/dog interaction would prefer to not exist (if it can ponder such things). I know I would prefer a dog in that situation be put to sleep rather than live like that.
^ Does the animal want to die because it is suffering? Probably. Can it kill itself? Probably NOT. Will it kill itself? Probably NOT. Humans are the only ones. They know HOW and have the resources available. Animals just DON'T have the resources or capabilities. Until they learn how to use their paws/legs/hands/tentacles/wings/claws/etc. to use as tools to aid them in doing harm to themselves with these tools, they won't. No human commits suicide without the aid of an external tool (except maybe falling off a cliff hitting some rocks or something like that).
Articles on Tarsiers that become stressed in captivity and have been reported of banging their heads on the cages. Now whether they intentionally or accidentally due to stress commit suicide is unknown but deaths don't involve tools. http://curiousanimals.net/funnies-bunnies/tarsiers-freedom-forever/ http://www.angelfire.com/ok2/animalwelfare/tarsierweb.html http://www.tarsierfoundation.org/the-tarsiers-of-bohol
Chimpanzees in the wild are known to become severely depressed and stop eating - this typically happens after the death of close relative.
Are you referring to male black widows being eaten by the female after mating. Not really suicide more of just a tough call.
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Interesting. Just watched a movie, The Cove, yesterday. The original captor and trainer of 'Flipper' has now become a dolphin activist because he is convinced one of the dolphins that played the part of Flipper committed suicide in his arms while looking at him in his eyes. He explained very clearly his choice of words and about why he felt it was suicide. It was a very interesting movie beyond just dolphin activism. It was also interesting because a small Japaneese town is currently systematically destroying thousands of dolphins every day and is methodically trying to cover it up because they admittedly know if it gets out that people will be outraged. So this guy recruits a Hollywood producer who puts together an Oceans 11 team to infiltrate the killing fields (or coves) to film it. The movie is interesting cause its almost like watching a real spy movie ...except that is real life. Anyway, its common knowledge that Dolphis are amoung the smartest animals on earth ...and this guy is convinced Dolphis in captivity suffer from depression and are capable of committing suicide. He is convinced dolphins are self aware creatures capable of recognizing themselves even on TV (which he has experience with) and experience true emotions like humans do. As an aside, elephants have also been observed mourning the death of relatives.
Not sure if this counts but I remember seeing how a parasite will cause grasshoppers/crickets to commit suicide. http://www.ird.fr/la-mediatheque/vi...arasite-manipulateur/un-parasite-manipulateur
Dave_78, I was also agreeing with you on some of the circumstances. The cage is the tool. They wouldn't bang their heads on the floor or another object, now would they? I read that it's not suicide, per se, but a belief that they can swim. Again, this is an EXTERNAL stimulant to kill itself, not its own "belief." Surely the parasite is needed.
Thought this was interesting http://www.slate.com/articles/news_...n_new_zealand_do_animals_commit_suicide_.html
coulda swore i read about a panda that killed itself after its offspring got killed or something along those lines, dont quote me on that...i might have just been watching kung fu panda or something..who knows these things?
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Bears in Chinese bile farms http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Asia/Story/A1Story20110805-292947.html
Do these bugs feel it is there duty to die? Man if I was a BWS I would get my rocks off and be like, "Wow I really like the way you did the decorations on that side of the web." When she turned her 100 eye balls that way...two words..."I'm gone!"
