Biol Lett February 2023 PMID 36750179

Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep.

Hamideh Keshavarzi, Caroline Lee, Tim R Dyall, Mark Johnson, Dana L M Campbell

Full text PDF Download social card

Mentions

54

Peak: 19 in Feb 2023

across 3 sources since Feb 2023

Extended reach

1,231,105

potential audience

Total likes

281

Video views

2,723

Mentions per month

Feb 2023 – Mar 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter26 posts
News26 articles
YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reveal strong support and curiosity, with posts like RTs and comments praising the research, and mentions of shared stress enhancing social bonds in sheep. Words such as 'exciting,' 'fascinating,' and references to scientific publications demonstrate a positive tone and an engaged, interested community focused on understanding animal social behaviors through scientific findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions express support for the study, highlighting its findings that shared stress promotes social bonding in sheep, similar to human behavior.

InterestHigh interest

Many posts show a high level of curiosity and enthusiasm about the topic, often mentioning the fascinating nature of the research and its implications.

EngagementHigh engagement

The discussions include references to related scientific concepts and praise for the science, indicating a deep interest and thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While some posts celebrate the importance of animal behavior studies, the overall perceived impact is moderate, emphasizing curiosity and understanding rather than urgent societal change.

Abstract in brief

Shared stressful experiences influence social proximity in Merino sheep, leading to increased bonding with those who shared the stress compared to unexposed sheep.
The study found that while sheep prefer to be near familiar individuals, they also tend to form closer bonds with others who experienced the same stress, suggesting stress may promote social bonding even among unfamiliar sheep.
These findings highlight that shared stress could help animals develop social bonds, similar to humans, which may serve as a way to buffer stress and better understand animal social behaviors in changing environments.]

Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky

Phys.org

@physorg_com · X

#Sheep who experience the same shared stress event tend to bond over it @RSocPublishing https://t.co/BKwGx8wyE7 https://t.co/WNyo5v4qMV

Feb 8, 2023 · 16 likes · 4 shares · 1,024,272 followers View post →

Defender

@Grahanimal · X

@BTWsanctuary Sheeps... https://t.co/HsVaH6W9yX

Jun 27, 2024 · 9 likes · 5 shares · 14,403 followers View post →

Gerald Carter

@gerrygcarter · X

Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep | Biology Letters https://t.co/Rf9ccWErjh

Feb 8, 2023 · 7 likes · 1 share · 1,830 followers View post →

Adriana Dergam

@ADergam · X

Můj první tweet o ovečkách

Feb 13, 2023 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 677 followers View post →

Royal Society Publishing

@RSocPublishing · X

#BiologyLetters in @thetimes | Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep: https://t.co/4ZznU3uc0I https://t.co/Q6e8WdCutI

Feb 16, 2023 · 4 likes · 1 share · 38,703 followers View post →

O espécime

@O_Especime · X

O estudo completo está disponível aqui: https://t.co/4OOqPbv5Br

Feb 10, 2023 · 3 likes · 12,403 followers View post →

All mentions

The Impact of Shared Stress on Sheep Social Bonds

Shared stressful experiences influence social proximity in Merino sheep, leading to increased bonding with those who shared the stress. The study suggests stress may promote social bonds, helping animals adapt and…

Natalie Fulton · Jun 21, 2024 2,235 views

Sheep Intelligence and Social Bonding Under Stress Explained

Shared stressful experiences influence social proximity in Merino sheep, leading to increased bonding with those who shared the stress compared to unexposed sheep. Stress may promote social bonds, enhancing…

Inside Animal Minds · Jul 8, 2024 333 views

Sheep bond over shared trauma

Inside Animal Minds · Mar 23, 2025 155 views

Beneath The Wood Sanctuary Ⓥ

@BTWsanctuary · X

RT @Grahanimal: @BTWsanctuary Sheeps... https://t.co/HsVaH6W9yX

Jun 29, 2024 · 5 shares · 10,721 followers View post →

BlueByrd (Vegan)

@NigelCo14798581 · X

RT @Grahanimal: @BTWsanctuary Sheeps... https://t.co/HsVaH6W9yX

Jun 27, 2024 · 5 shares · 5,813 followers View post →

Aloominati

@_Aloominati_ · X

RT @Grahanimal: @BTWsanctuary Sheeps... https://t.co/HsVaH6W9yX

Jun 27, 2024 · 5 shares · 1,116 followers View post →

Susan Thompson Ⓥ Pigoneer™

@JasperManUtd · X

RT @Grahanimal: @BTWsanctuary Sheeps... https://t.co/HsVaH6W9yX

Jun 27, 2024 · 5 shares · 2,861 followers View post →

Alan@Alan Ⓥ Pigoneer ™

@AlanAlan5240751 · X

RT @Grahanimal: @BTWsanctuary Sheeps... https://t.co/HsVaH6W9yX

Jun 27, 2024 · 5 shares · 7,846 followers View post →

Defender

@Grahanimal · X

@BTWsanctuary Sheeps... https://t.co/HsVaH6W9yX

Jun 27, 2024 · 9 likes · 5 shares · 14,403 followers View post →

Pilar Trujillo

@pilartrujillo66 · X

https://t.co/9V8DlL9vDe

Jun 21, 2024 · 1 like · 189 followers View post →

NP AGARWAL世界一フォローを目指しますAiming best in world.

@np_grwl · X

RT @physorg_com: #Sheep who experience the same shared stress event tend to bond over it @RSocPublishing https://t.co/BKwGx8wyE7 https://t.…

Feb 18, 2023 · 4 shares · 1,791 followers View post →

VasGaganis

@GaganisVas · X

RT @RSocPublishing: #BiologyLetters in @thetimes | Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep: https://t.co/4ZznU…

Feb 16, 2023 · 1 share · 656 followers View post →

⅃ɵ෴eL

@joel27799310 · X

Al igual que los humanos, las ovejas se mantienen unidas después de una experiencia traumática compartida

Feb 16, 2023 · 3 likes · 1,072 followers View post →

Royal Society Publishing

@RSocPublishing · X

#BiologyLetters in @thetimes | Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep: https://t.co/4ZznU3uc0I https://t.co/Q6e8WdCutI

Feb 16, 2023 · 4 likes · 1 share · 38,703 followers View post →

Český rozhlas Plus

@CRoPlus · X

RT @ADergam: Můj první tweet o ovečkách

Feb 13, 2023 · 2 shares · 64,367 followers View post →

Jakub Rybnikár

@jakubrybnikar1 · X

RT @ADergam: Můj první tweet o ovečkách

Feb 13, 2023 · 2 shares · 94 followers View post →

Adriana Dergam

@ADergam · X

Můj první tweet o ovečkách

Feb 13, 2023 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 677 followers View post →

Francisco Javier Aguado Gómez

@Francis2940044 · X

https://t.co/KGdc9Ddj5M

Feb 12, 2023 · 8 followers View post →

内田

@uchida_kawasaki · X

羊はつらい経験を共にすると、仲間同士の絆が深まる https://t.co/zF9HPg2wnr Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep | Biology Letters https://t.co/JyABbTTh4V 次の研究テーマは、楽しい経験を共にしたらどうなるかo(^-^)oﾜｸﾜｸ

Feb 11, 2023 · 1 like · 1,931 followers View post →

Psicólogo Celestino González-Fernández ψ

@Tecnoestres · X

Las ovejas se sienten más unidas a aquellas compañeras con las que han vivido #experienciastraumáticas. Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep | Biology Letters @royalsociety #CGFPsicología https://t.co/461zk6pVVH

Feb 11, 2023 · 2,903 followers View post →

O espécime

@O_Especime · X

O estudo completo está disponível aqui: https://t.co/4OOqPbv5Br

Feb 10, 2023 · 3 likes · 12,403 followers View post →

Dr. James D

@DoctorJamesD · X

@NeolithicSheep @GoatsThatStare @bunsenbernerbmd @flyingmulefarm @PasturesPolitic Exciting sheep science! A+ photos in the article, too. Full paper here: https://t.co/rffbsTCasu

Feb 8, 2023 · 2 likes · 1,953 followers View post →

O espécime

@O_Especime · X

RT @physorg_com: #Sheep who experience the same shared stress event tend to bond over it @RSocPublishing https://t.co/BKwGx8wyE7 https://t.…

Feb 8, 2023 · 4 shares · 12,403 followers View post →

XiXi Davey

@xhertx · X

RT @physorg_com: #Sheep who experience the same shared stress event tend to bond over it @RSocPublishing https://t.co/BKwGx8wyE7 https://t.…

Feb 8, 2023 · 4 shares · 7,197 followers View post →

Phys.org Biology

@physorg_biology · X

RT @physorg_com: #Sheep who experience the same shared stress event tend to bond over it @RSocPublishing https://t.co/BKwGx8wyE7 https://t.…

Feb 8, 2023 · 4 shares · 8,211 followers View post →

Phys.org

@physorg_com · X

#Sheep who experience the same shared stress event tend to bond over it @RSocPublishing https://t.co/BKwGx8wyE7 https://t.co/WNyo5v4qMV

Feb 8, 2023 · 16 likes · 4 shares · 1,024,272 followers View post →

Jack Winans

@jackwinans · X

RT @gerrygcarter: Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep | Biology Letters https://t.co/Rf9ccWErjh

Feb 8, 2023 · 1 share · 513 followers View post →

Gerald Carter

@gerrygcarter · X

Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep | Biology Letters https://t.co/Rf9ccWErjh

Feb 8, 2023 · 7 likes · 1 share · 1,830 followers View post →

Andy_Weeble_Weaver

@AndrewW66619812 · X

The study published in The Royal Society's online journal "Biology Letters" that the above "ABC News" article is based upon, & links to: “Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep” https://t.co/PJf4ufcdDS

Feb 8, 2023 · 1 like · 4,330 followers View post →