• Question: Why do animals bite?

    Asked by Hasafan to Áine, Ciarán, Eoin, Lydia, Victoria on 19 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Lydia Bach

      Lydia Bach answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      Hey

      Animals can bite for a number of reasons. To catch their prey or to defend themselves!
      Often biting is also part of play – especially in young animals like cats or dogs.

    • Photo: Ciarán O'Brien

      Ciarán O'Brien answered on 19 Nov 2014:

      It’s the easiest way for most animals to interact. Claws and hooves aren’t great for doing fiddly stuff like cleaning, but a mouth can pick things up and move them around, and a tongue can clean and manipulate small objects very easily. A mouth is also a powerful weapon, so if an animal has to fight, it’s bit is often the most dangerous thing to look out for.

      Biting can also be a form of play and affection in some animals. If a puppy gives you a small nip on the hand, he’s just telling you he’s happy to see you and wants to play 🙂

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