Throughout the book Zombie, Lula, and Warda behave in surprisingly human-like ways. Do you think these are the human characters projecting human traits onto the animals, or do humans and animals share some basic instincts, and if so, which ones?

Throughout the book Zombie, Lula, and Warda behave in surprisingly human-like ways, such as when Zombie knows to stay quiet in the truck, or when Lula mourns for her son. Would you say that these moments are simply the human characters projecting human traits onto the animals, or do humans and animals really share some basic instincts, and if so, which ones? 

It is foolish to transfer human explanations for animal behavior. They are animals but interestingly, though we often forget it, so are we. So if there is a similarity in behavior I believe it is the animal in us, rather than the human in them.

That's a great response, katherinep!

I agree that it's easy to forget that we are also animals, and it does make more sense to attribute the similarity to the animal in us.

I don't think it's a good idea to anthropomorphize animals, but that doesn't mean they deserve less respect or care.

I agree with katherinep above - well said.

Although we can never really know what an animal is thinking, new science and research does show that areas of the animal brain do light up in the same areas as the brain of humans. It has been shown that animals do have a rich emotional life. When Lula lost her baby it does appear she was grieving. What a horrible thing to have a corpse in such a small area with her. There were times when Abu Laith did anthropomorphize the animals. Overall, I do believe animals have many of the same feelings/behaviors as humans, but there are differences too. Animals can suffer from PTSD just like people. Mother really appeared to suffer from war and being hungry and confined to a small cage. Basic instint with animals and humans is to do whatever you have to in order to survive. This led to her having no choice but to attack Warda & eat Father.

kellyo, what an insightful answer you share!

And you're so right that animals can certainly experience PTSD, this is very true for animals that have been neglected or abused. While there are differences of course, I agree that humans and animals do share basic experiences and emotions.

Humans may be more highly evolved (which I often question, given some of the horrific acts humans commit) than animals, but we are still members of the Animal Kingdom. One of the most basic instincts we share is survival, but science has established that many species experience the same emotions as humans that at are in addition to the survival instinct.