What I’m Learning about Human Behavior from Nature

By: Bradley Binversie

I think there’s a lot to be learned about humanity and human behavior through animal documentaries. Particularly those that are honest in telling the story of nature and not interested in portraying nature with Rose-Colored glasses.

Recently, I have been watching documentaries about the Lion prides in Africa. It’s hard to put into words the overall brutality and savagery that happens in these environments to survive. In the wild, survival and passing on one’s genetics are the mechanisms that drive everything. It’s brutally competitive where every single resource is precious. Every scrap of food and water are fought over, guarded, and often killed for. The difference between survival and death is a razor thin margin. I’ve read that only 1 in 5 lion cubs make it to age 1.

We may think we’re a highly evolved creatures, but the comparisons are overwhelming. Below are some examples for Lions, but there also very common to many animal species.

1. The #1 danger for Lions is other Lions. The Lions will fight many times to the death for territory, breeding rights, access to resources food and water. This echoes the human world. The number #1 danger for humans is other humans.
a. The wars throughout history have left a very large body count, usually fought over territory and access to resources.
b. Nuclear weapons
c. Human error/ or behavior- car accidents, risky behavior such as drug use, ect.
d. We don’t put locks on our doors to keep animals out of our house.

2. Status and Hierarchy are important in the Lion society. The strongest, most dominant males make the decisions and get access to the very best selection of food and mating partners. There’s hierarchy among female lions as well.

a. Today strength is usually not biggest indicator in human society. But money, fame, power usually are thought of as important indicators of status (right or wrongly). If hierarchy didn’t matter, why would people be so obsessed with these things? Physical Strength has just been replaced by business or monetary influence, otherwise it’s the same.

b. Why are designer bags and clothes so expensive and why are women willing to pay for them? I think there’s a great argument to be made that these are symbols of status and hierarchy. Larger houses most likely are not just for comfort.

3. Survival Depends on the group. Lions live together because there is strength in numbers and they will most likely die on their own. Hunting is more difficult without a group. Protecting cubs is significantly more difficult for the solo lion.
a. Humans have massively organized ourselves better than any species on the planet. This is probably the reason why we’re able to thrive.

b. Parenting, family structure, and communities are all important for raising children, protection, and obtaining resources (work, school, infrastructure)

*There are countless examples of other animals that live and work in groups for survival: wolves, monkeys, antelope, elephants, ect.

4. Biological urge to Pass on genetics. Male Lions are driven by their need to pass on their genetics. When they take over a territory, they almost always brutally kill all the rival males and the cubs of other males. They will then do almost anything to protect their own cubs.

a. Most human parents would die to protect their children. Grandparents invest enormous amounts of resources into their grandchildren.

b. While we don’t kill the children of other humans, we definitely do not feel that same care and love for other people’s children as our own. There’s statistical evidence that children that live in a household with a non-blood adult are significantly more likely to experience abuse or neglect of some form.

5. Deep Formation of Bonds. Lions form deep bonds with their siblings, parents, cousins, aunts, and other members of the pride. These bonds are incredibly important for their survival in incredibly harsh environments. It’s even very common for young male lions to form “coalition” groups with their brothers so they can work together to survive and take over their own territories someday.
a. Humans desire deep relationships with our partners and those in the community. These bonds help nurture us, teach us, and help us thrive in the world.

b. Communication with humans as with lions, is a vital part of survival as well.

6. Resources: In the wild, access to water and food are precious. If a lion makes a kill for food, there is a very short amount of time before it attracts all kinds of animals looking for a meal. Scavengers like vultures are usually the first to spot the opportunity and this works a signal to everything that might be looking for food such as hyenas, wild dogs, ect. The carcass will need to be protected and fought over for the lion to maintain it and eat it. If this doesn’t sound like human economics, I don’t know what does.

a. Capitalism is absolutely brutal. New businesses are always emerging to try to attract customers, revenue, and grow their reach.

b. Even the companies that do become successful have to work tirelessly to fight off challengers that are trying to take market share.

c. Similar to the scavengers on in the wild, people can be incredibly resourceful in finding opportunities during difficult times.

I recognize that humans and lions/animals are very different, but I found it extremely humbling to watch these documentaries. Many of the characteristics seen in humans, can be seen across much of nature. While we think we are so sophisticated and evolved, I think a good argument could be made that we’re pretty much doing the same core behaviors as the animals and that there is something to be learned about humanity by observing nature.