Animals naturally capture our imagination, and the media has amplified that fascination. Movies, TV shows, online videos, and even documentaries feature animals every day.
But while these portrayals can be entertaining, they’re not always accurate. Predators may be painted as “evil,” prey animals might display human-like emotions, or editing may exaggerate how often certain behaviors like hunting or fighting happen. Even documentaries sometimes repeat or speed up sequences to make them more dramatic.
For teachers, the goal is to help students distinguish entertainment from science. Doing so encourages critical thinking, strengthens observation skills, and gives students a more realistic understanding of animals.
Anthropomorphism
Sometimes, animals are given human traits like talking or showing emotions like guilt or joy. While this makes a story fun, it can lead students to think animals make moral decisions or feel emotions exactly like humans. Did you know that an animal that appears to be smiling may be demonstrating fear, the opposite of what humans would normally do.
Exaggerated or Simplified Behavior
Chases, fights, or social interactions are often intensified for drama. In reality, some behaviors shown in media are rare. Students might assume these are normal or frequent, which isn’t always true. Much like us, animals prefer to save their energy on a daily basis, limiting big efforts when possible.
Selective Editing
Even documentaries can be edited to emphasize excitement—hunting scenes might be sped up, or playful interactions shown out of context. This can skew how students perceive animal behavior. Some documentaries also film wildlife in prepared scenes with natural looking props in order to get high quality close up views.
Trained Animals
Films often use animals trained to perform specific actions on cue. These behaviors don’t reflect what wild animals naturally do.
Compare Media with Real Life
Use animal livestreams, like Zoolife, to let students observe natural behaviors in real time such as feeding, resting, or social interactions.
Discuss Anthropomorphism
Explain that movies give animals human-like qualities to tell a story.
Ask students:
Highlight Scientific Methods
Introduce how scientists study animals:
Use Critical Thinking Questions
Science:
Compare media portrayals with real-life footage. Study habitats, diets, and social interactions.
Literacy:
Write reports describing behaviors in media vs. real life. Create “Fact vs. Fiction” charts to reinforce understanding.
Math:
Track behaviors in real-life videos. Record time spent feeding, moving, or resting, and compare with media portrayals.
Social Studies:
Discuss how media shapes perceptions of wildlife. Explore cultural storytelling versus scientific observation.
Animals in media are often dramatized, anthropomorphized, or edited to tell a story. By helping students compare media with real-life observations, discuss storytelling techniques, and apply critical thinking, teachers can foster curiosity, observation skills, and a true appreciation for wildlife as it really is.