• Question: how come we have tears when we cry?

    Asked by ben10 to Sarah on 18 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Sarah Burl

      Sarah Burl answered on 18 Jun 2010:

      tears in animals is associated with extreme pain but i think only humans cry because of emotional reasons. I am afraid I don’t know why this is though!

Comments

  • Photo: matt10

    matt10 commented on :

    he was asking why we cry, not animals?

  • Photo: Marianne

    Marianne commented on :

    I think elephants cry from emotion too.

    Actually I saw my dog cry once when he ran, very fast, into a goalpost.

    It was evolved as a defense mechanism. Tears contain enzymes that kill bacteria; the eyes are very sensitive so this is useful. We always make tears, even if they’re not rolling down our face – the eyes need to be kept moist.
    Shock and pain can also cause tears, perhaps this visual warning helps protect others indirectly as well.

  • Photo: Sarah

    Sarah commented on :

    Matt10 – If you read the whole answer you will see that I was describing why we cried by explaining why crying happens in animals and comparing it to humans. Most of why we do comes from what animals do as they are our ancestors. Never forget that!
    Marianne had a very good answer as well which describes the only time you see an animal cry is as part of instinct whereas humans have emotion so that is an additional mechanism!