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Why do humans pat animals on the head? I know we do it with cats and dogs, but I recently saw footage of a diver trying to pat an octopus.
Jan Horton
West Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
This year, I was bequeathed a scrap-metal duck sculpture that is kept beside my front door.
Since it arrived, I have noticed that nearly every visitor (including real estate reps, religious door knockers and delivery people, as well as friends) seems impelled to pat it on the head, though a subset are likely to stroke the bill instead.
I do wonder if it is,…
