Human-animal scholars often use a research approach known as multispecies ethnography as a way of understanding the symbiosis between humans and animals While it may be difficult to define an animal, and sometimes controversial to speak the scientific truth that human are animals, too, the continuum between us and them is incontrovertible.

Animals play essential roles in many areas of human life. In describing animals, anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss said that they are “good to think” of (1963, 89) because they show up prolifically in our cultures.

animal — a multicellular organism, either vertebrate or invertebrate, that can breathe, move, ingest, excrete, and sexually reproduce. multispecies ethnography — the study of the interactions between humans and other species within their shared environment. symbiosis — a mutually beneficial relationship between species. culture hero — an idealized animal or human figure associated with supernatural feats. A culture hero is particular to their cultural group, exhibiting specific traits, actions, and discoveries….