Can animals have imaginations and dreams like humans ?
Many animals such as rats, cats, monkeys, elephants, etc. have been found or shown to have REM sleep (Rapid eye movement (REM sleep is a normal stage of sleep characterized by the rapid movement of the eyes.) and therefore almost assuredly dream. During REM sleep, the release of certain neurotransmitters is completely suppressed. As a result, motor neurons are not stimulated, a condition known as REM atonia. This prevents dreams from resulting in dangerous movements of the body. Animals have complex dreams and are able to retain and recall long sequences of events while they are asleep. Studies show that various species of mammals and birds experience REM during sleep and follow the same series of sleeping states as humans. Researches have shown animals do dream, but because they don’t have language they don’t know the difference between dreaming and real life, just like small children. Children, on the other hand, have parents to teach them the difference through language. Because ani
