How Do Mammals Communicate Emotions? Why Scientists Say Their Social “Language” Is Closer to Humans Than We Think

It would seem that communication among animals is easy. For instance, a bark may be used to warn of danger, and a call may be used to bring the group together. The communication appears to be easy and clear.

According to scientists who study mammals, however, this initial impression of communication among animals is not accurate. In many groups of mammals, communication has an emotional meaning and a social purpose. Animals are always aware of the signals sent by the animals around them.

Animals use a variety of ways to communicate, but one of them is sounds. Mammals also use facial expressions, posture, touch, and smell. These signals allow them to understand the mood of the animals in their group.


According to a review published in the journal Animals in 2025, scientists studied the way mammals share information in groups. The scientists found that mammals use both physical and mental abilities to communicate. Animals not only communicate but also receive and understand the emotional communication sent by the animals around them.

This is based on earlier studies. Ethologists, who study animal behavior, long ago realized that vocalizations and body language play a role in regulating group relationships. They found that communication aids animals in maintaining their relationships, coordinating their activities, and preventing conflicts.

Current studies continue to reveal that emotional awareness is a key part of mammalian interactions.

How the Brain Helps Mammals Recognize Emotions

Brain science offers an important clue. Scientists found a group of brain cells called mirror neurons while studying how animals interact with each other.

These brain cells are active when an animal does something and also when it sees another animal do the same thing. Scientists believe this system helps mammals understand both actions and feelings.

Research discussed in Animals in 2025 suggests that mirror neuron activity works with parts of the brain that control emotions, like the amygdala. These areas help mammals quickly notice emotional signals.

This can lead to what scientists call emotional contagion. If one animal shows excitement or stress, others nearby may react the same way. in the same way.

Dogs are a familiar example. Experiments show that dogs often go to people who are crying and stay close to them. Researchers see this as a possible sign of empathy.

Why Living in Groups Encourages Rich Communication

For mammals that live in groups, communication is closely linked to survival. Animals need to move together, avoid fights, and maintain friendships.

Signals like posture, facial expression, and vocal tone often show how an animal feels. These cues help others decide how to respond in different situations.

Studies summarized in Animals describe similar patterns in different species. Dolphins use unique whistles to identify each other. Elephants make low-frequency calls that travel far and can carry emotional meaning.

These signals help animals recognize each other and respond to changes in the group.

How Mammals Combine Different Signals

Unlike human speech, mammalian communication rarely relies on a single signal. Animals often combine several cues at the same time.

A vocal sound might express emotional intensity, while posture or facial expression provides additional meaning.

Dogs are especially skilled at interpreting these combinations. Research suggests they read human emotions by combining voice tone, facial expressions, and body language.

Chemical signals matter too. Pheromones can show if an animal is stressed or ready to mate. Touch is also important. For example, grooming helps many animals lower stress and build close bonds.

Scientists point out that the same signal can mean different things depending on the relationship between the animals.

What Animal Voices Reveal About Personality

Communication can also reveal personality differences.

A study published in Scientific Reports in 2016 looked at how domestic pigs use their voices. Researchers found that individual pigs made sounds in different, consistent ways.

These vocal patterns were linked to personality traits. Some pigs made louder or more intense sounds, while others were calmer.

The study also found that living conditions affected these signals. Pigs raised in poorer environments often made sounds linked to higher reactivity.

How Social Networks Influence Communication

Communication has also been seen to affect the social networks of mammal groups.

A study published in Nature Communications sought to understand the role of interactions such as grooming, cooperation, and signaling in the formation of structured relationships. This has helped the groups coordinate better.

The structured networks have also been observed to facilitate the spread of learned behaviors such as tool use and new problem-solving techniques.

All the above studies have demonstrated that the complexity of mammal communication is much higher than was thought in the past. With the help of sounds, emotions, and social understanding, the animals have been able to sustain social links.