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Crickets May Feel Pain, Study Finds

Research shows crickets groom sore antennae, suggesting they may experience pain similar to other animals.

Source:theguardian.com

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Standard — Natural English

76 words · ~1 min read
A recent study indicates that crickets may experience pain, as they tend to groom and stroke their sore antennae similarly to how dogs care for their injured paws. Associate Professor Thomas White from the University of Sydney explains that pain is a prolonged feeling, different from a simple nerve response. To investigate this, researchers applied heat to the antennae of crickets to observe their behavior, looking for signs of 'flexible self-protection' as an indicator of pain.

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Test your understanding

Test your understanding

01What do crickets do when they have a sore antenna?

02Who conducted the research on crickets?

03What was used to create a painful sensation in the crickets?

04What is a sign of pain in animals according to the study?

Discussion

Discussion

What implications does the ability of insects to feel pain have for how we treat them?

Vocabulary

Vocabulary

  • antennae word

    long, thin sensory organs on the head of insects

    “Crickets have long antennae that help them sense their environment.”

  • pain word

    a feeling of discomfort or suffering

    “The scientists are studying whether crickets can feel pain.”

  • groom word

    to clean or care for oneself or another

    “Dogs often groom their paws when they are hurt.”

  • research word

    the careful study of a subject to discover new information

    “The research on crickets was published in a scientific journal.”

  • behavior word

    the way an animal acts in response to a situation

    “The crickets' behavior showed they might feel pain.”