consciousness in non-human animals

Consciousness in non-human animals refers to their ability to experience awareness and perception of their environment, feelings, and themselves. It means animals can have subjective experiences, such as feeling pain, pleasure, or fear, and can perceive sights, sounds, tastes, and sensations. Scientific research suggests many animals, from mammals and birds to some invertebrates, possess varying levels of consciousness, enabling them to adapt, communicate, and respond with awareness. While not identical to human consciousness, animal consciousness involves sensory perception, emotional experiences, and some degree of self-awareness, highlighting their capacity for subjective experience.