Animal behaviour contains valuable information which could help humans to improve their well-being, both physically and socially, according to trendwatchers and biologists.
Researchers have found that birds prone to parasitic infections will include cigarette butts woven into their nests to repel bugs, while infected woolly bear caterpillars will seek out alkaloid-heavy plants with no nutritional value to kill parasites.
Social creatures such as primates will share practices for bug repellent or wound care, while female vampire bats will engage in social grooming to enhance cooperation in their groups.
Animal self-care also includes proactively exfoliating their skin to shed redundant skin and barnacles, with orcas rubbing on icebergs or humpack whales rolling in seabed sand or kelp.
Gerald Carter, an animal behaviourist, says that the quality and quantity of social relationships are key to good health, as displayed in animal behaviour.
