Playfulness isn’t just for fun—many animals use play to develop survival skills, bond with others, and sharpen their instincts. Dolphins engage in elaborate games of chase, while river otters slide down mudbanks just for fun. Dogs and wolves wrestle to practice hunting skills.
Other playful creatures include monkeys, which engage in social games, and crows, which have been observed using tools and playing tricks. These animals remind us that play is an important part of life in the animal kingdom.