Children know more about the animal kingdom than their parents, according to research.
A poll of 1,000 parents and their children, found 77 per cent of grown-ups admit they have been posed an animal question from their child they didn’t know the answer to.
With pets, dinosaurs, and mammals among the areas children are particularly clued up on.
While 82 per cent of parents have even had to turn to the internet to find answers to their kids’ animal questions.
Linda Edwards, chief executive of SPANA [https://spana.org], the global working animal welfare charity which commissioned the survey, said: “Children have an instinctive curiosity about the world and animals are a huge part of that.
"When we nurture this interest, we spark compassion, deepen understanding, and help build the foundation for a lifelong respect for animals.”
The study also found children learn the most about animals at school (73 per cent), followed by TV (65 per cent), and books (62 per cent).
Whereas 59 per cent will learn their facts from their parents - and 16 per cent even get their animal knowledge from TikTok.
Almost all children (98 per cent) said they liked animals, with 71 per cent of those liking their cuteness most.
When it comes to the parents, 45 per cent admitted their animal knowledge is inferior to their children’s – with almost half (45 per cent) intrigued when posed with an animal question they don’t know the answer to.
Despite often not knowing the answers to their children's questions about animals, 45 per cent of parents said animals are often a talking point between them and their children.
The study revealed children have a good understanding of how to care for animals, as 83 per cent felt it was important they should have enough food and water and 75 per cent that they have a comfy place to rest.
The OnePoll.com study revealed two thirds of children (64 per cent) said they were aware of what a working animal is - an animal which supports people with tasks such as farming or transporting goods.
It was found a third (33 per cent) would feel happy if they saw a working animal in person, and 29 per cent would be excited.
Linda Edwards from SPANA added: “Across the world, horses, donkeys, mules, camels and oxen are woven into the daily lives of millions of children, sometimes even carrying them to school.
“But in many communities where working animals are essential, young people rarely get the chance to learn about their specific needs.
“Our education programmes aim to change this by inspiring children to appreciate, respect and safeguard the working animals around them, creating a ripple of compassion that lasts long into the future.”
Tracely, age 14, from Zimbabwe, who attends SPANA’s PAWS (Promoting Animal Welfare and Sustainability) clubs, which are extra-curricular clubs where children learn about animal welfare, said:
“I like donkeys because they are gentle and kind, loyal companions, strong and hardworking. I have learnt the importance of kindness to all animals and care to all living things.”
