Life Skills We Can Learn from Animals

We can learn a lot about life skills by paying attention to animals. 

Does that sound crazy to you? If so, keep reading because you’re in for a quick lesson that will make you look at Mother Nature a bit differently. 

You may have noticed that Skill Trek has 3 mascots: Jasper the Raccoon, Roland the Bear, and Balthazar the Eagle. So what can we learn from them?

Life Skills We Can Learn From Animals

Raccoons

Raccoons have earned the nickname “trash bandits” because they like to dig through – you guessed – trash. And while this may seem pretty disgusting, you have to admit that it showcases a level of resourcefulness and adaptation that ensures that wherever they go, they can most likely find food and shelter. 

But, being opportunists isn’t the only admirable thing about raccoons. They also have amazing dexterity– using their fine motor skills to open everything from jars to doors. They are also good climbers.

Bears

Bears have a variety of physical life skills that can come in handy for just about anyone. First of all, bears are excellent swimmers. Whether they are grizzlies, black bears, or polar bears, they all have a sense of comfort in water and varying degrees of skill (with the polar bear obviously being the strongest swimmer of them all, able to swim tens or even hundreds of miles). Which shouldn’t be surprising because they are also great fishers. They won’t hesitate to dive in to grab a meal. Bears are also very observant– they rely heavily on their senses of sight, smell, and hearing to survive in the wilderness. 

Eagles

When you think of eagles, you might have an image of a majestic bird soaring through the sky. But, you might also imagine one swooping down from the sky to snap up a meal. Not only do eagles have great vision, they are also laser-focused when it comes to getting what they want or need. When hunting, they work hard to overcome every obstacle in their path until they catch their prey. 

Ants

Do you remember Aesop’s fable, The Ant and the Grasshopper? The grasshopper spent the entire summer singing and being idle while the ant and his comrades gathered food to survive the winter. When winter arrived, the ants had what they needed. The grasshopper – not so much. Ants are an excellent example of working hard and preparing for the future. 

Birds

Have you ever watched a bird build a nest? They use all kinds of things to do it – tree branches, stones, feathers, grass, hair, twigs, leaves, wool, cotton, bark, pine needles, yarn, and even their own saliva. This type of resourcefulness is something we could all learn from. 

Dogs

Anyone who has ever trained a puppy or dog knows that it can take a while for them to catch on. But it’s amazing what a little incentive and practice can do. Dogs are masters at trying until they master a new skill. 

Chameleons

When you think of chameleons, the main thing that comes to mind (after the Culture Club song) is probably that they can change color based on their surroundings. This ability to adapt to new environments is jealousy-inducing. 

Lions

Last, but not least are the kings and queens of the jungle! Lionesses are known to be the ones who do the vast majority of the hunting for their pride. And they are good at it! Their fierce determination combined with their physical prowess makes them a force to be reckoned with. The lion, on the other hand, is known for being leaders and protectors – keeping the pride safe and in check. 

These are just a few life skills that are on display every day in the animal kingdom. Do you know of any other examples?