Humans Are the Only Animals That Cry — And We Don’t Know Why

There are many theories on the evolution and purpose of emotional tears.

By Sophie Putka
Aug 19, 2021 5:00 PMAug 19, 2021 5:01 PM
Crying baby
(Credit: antoniodiaz/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

It’s pretty obvious when a dog is sad. It might whine or whimper, knit its brow, or turn its big, imploring eyes upward at you. But it would be another thing entirely to see a big tear rolling down your canine companion’s face.

Animals simply don’t cry. Or at least, they don’t shed emotional tears. The only creatures who have evolved to do so, it turns out, are humans. We snivel at sad movies, well up at weddings and blink away hot tears of frustration during arguments. “We appear to be the only animal that sheds tears for emotional reasons,” says Randolph Cornelius, a professor of psychological science at Vassar College in New York and an expert on human emotion.

There are many theories on the evolution and purpose of emotional tears. Experts even have a few ideas why animals — who do experience emotions — don’t weep like we do. But why we evolved to eject liquid out of our eyes as a signal of distress, rather than some other reaction, is still far from settled.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2023 Kalmbach Media Co.