"Many animal species exhibit play, and yet we humans can't help but look on in awe when we recognize it in other species beyond the domestic dogs and cats we keep as companions. We get so used to thinking of wildlife as efficient and purposeful, wasting no energy. For the young of many species, play is indeed an essential part of growing up. Through play, juveniles learn everything they'll need for adulthood from how to hunt to how to fight to how to navigate the social structure of their community. So we look on with joy but without much surprise when fox pups romp with each other and bear cubs tumble around together. But when the play carries on into adulthood, that's when we stare with amazement, remembering we aren't the only animals who like to inject a little joy into our day with silliness.
'This was such a wonderful reminder that all animals, the wild and the not so wild (our pets) are really not so different," Underhill Karaz says. "They have personalities, they have feelings, and they do their best to survive in what is sometimes a very unfriendly world. They are not so very different than us.'"
See entire article @ MNN