13 Ways Humans Aren't Like Other Animals
![13 Ways Humans Aren't Like Other Animals](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/9/781299_320x180.jpg)
There are a lot of ways people try to understand and study animals. They might look at their physical features or how they behave in the wild. But what really makes humans different from other animals? Some scientists say it has to do with our ability to think and communicate symbolically. We can use language to share ideas, feelings, and experiences with each other. And we're the only species that can make plans for the future.
When most people think about animals, they think about the similarities between humans and other species. We share 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees, for example. But what many people don't know is that there are some major differences between humans and other animals, too. In this article, we'll explore some of those differences and talk about how they shape the way we live our lives.
Oh, you think you're really special, don't you? Well, scientifically, you are. Here are 13 reasons why you, being a human, we can only assume, are unique in the animal kingdom… Stay tuned!
![OTHER PRIMATES HAVE A PENIS BONE Don't expect to get as hard as a chimp or a bonobo. Penis bones developed in primates due to polygamous mating habits, not as common in human history. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/9/5/781295.jpg)
Source: Science Mag
![HUMANS ARE THE ONLY PRIIMATE WHO CAN DANCE Although other animals, like birds and seals, can synchronize their movements to a beat, our closest relatives cannot. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/5/5/781255.jpg)
Source: NPR
![NO OTHER ANIMAL CAN THROW AS WELL AS HUMANS Other primates may throw sticks and stones, but only humans can throw extremely accurate and precise. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/4/7/781247.jpg)
Source: BBC
![HUMANS NEED LESS SLEEP THAN OTHER PRIMATES We have the deepest sleep of any primate, which means we can by on fewer hours. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/5/3/781253.jpg)
Source: BBC
![HUMANS HAVE BETTER MEMORY FOR SEQUENTIAL INFORMATION B A C This may help to explain why humans are capable of complex language and math. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/4/4/781244.jpg)
Source: The Royal Society
![HUMANS ARE THE ONLY PRIMATE WHO SLEEPWALK As far as we know, the sleep disorder is only present in humans. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/5/2/781252.jpg)
Source: NIH
![HUMANS BABIES ARE ESPECIALLY HELPLESS. Human babies are born earlier than primates because of our large brain size and because we walk on two feet (requiring birth canals to be smaller). We spend more time developing outside of the womb. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/4/3/781243.jpg)
Source: Scientific American
![THE CHANGE OF CERTAIN DNA SEQUENCES Although we have nearly identical DNA with chimps, scientists have identified Human Accelerated Regions, DNA sequences that have evolved faster in humans in than any other animal. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/8/8/781288.jpg)
Source: Science Direct
![HUMANS ARE THE ONLY LAND MAMMALS WHO EXPERIENCE MENOPAUSE Killer whales and pilot whales are the only other mammals who experience the nagging tick of a biological clock. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/8/781238.jpg)
Source: Science Focus
![HUMANS ARE THE ONLY ANIMALS WITH CHINS Humans have the only lower jaws that protrude out, instead of sloping down. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/0/781230.jpg)
Search: The Atlantic
![HUMANS HAVE LONGER CHILDHOODS It takes us longer than other primates to grow up because our brains take up SO much energy from the rest of our bodies. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/5/781235.jpg)
Source: Science Mag
![WE'RE THE ONLY ANIMALS WHO SUFFER FROM SCHIZOPHRENIA Depression, OCD, and anxiety manifest in other animals, but psychosis has never been observed outside of humans. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/2/9/781229.jpg)
Source: Scientific American
![HUMANS COOPERATE MORE THAN CHIMPS Children innately know to help before social expectations set in. Chimps cooperate, but studies show humans consistently cooperate more. CRACKED.COM](https://s3.crackedcdn.com/phpimages/imageset/2/3/2/781232.jpg)
Source: BBC