Play (ethology)

((subpages)) In ethology, play refers to a category of animal behaviours with no clear immediate purpose. It typically involves unusual situations, thus provoking unusual reactions by the animal. For this reason, play is widely regarded as a form of training that confers advantages at a later stage. While most mammals show a peak in playing behaviour before reaching sexual maturity, many of the most intelligent species maintain high levels of play throughout adulthood.