Comparison matters: Curiosity, bears, surplus energy, and why reptiles do not play

Subject(s): Play Behaviors–Other Mammals

Author(s): Burghardt, G.M.

Journal Title: Behavioral and Brain Sciences

NIFP Rating: 4

First paragraph of commentary: Longstanding controversies on the function and evolution of play have been clarified and partially resolved in Peter Smith’s stimulating paper. My commentary will be limited to a few issues serviced from my own interests in bears and reptiles.

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Comparison matters: Curiosity, bears, surplus energy, and why reptiles do not play

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