--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think like the species I am studying…" description: "\"I think like the species I am studying, whatever it is. If I am watching a lizard, I become the lizard. Gazing ath the water at a pike, I become the pi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44b/desmond-morris-17347_gazing_i-think-like-the-species-i-am-studying-w_3110557.jpg" --- # I think like the species I am studying, whatever it is. If… ![“I think like the species I am studying, whatever it is. If I am watching a lizard, I become the lizard. Gazing ath the water at a pike, I become the pike.” quote by Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44b/desmond-morris-17347_gazing_i-think-like-the-species-i-am-studying-w_3110557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44b/desmond-morris-17347_gazing_i-think-like-the-species-i-am-studying-w_3110557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44b/desmond-morris-17347_gazing_i-think-like-the-species-i-am-studying-w_3110557.jpg) > “I think like the species I am studying, whatever it is. If I am watching a lizard, I become the lizard. Gazing ath the water at a pike, I become the pike.” [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He immerses himself in the perspective of the animal he studies, adopting its behavior to understand it deeply. **In simple terms:** He becomes the animal to understand it. Key Takeaway Adopt the subject’s viewpoint for insight. Themes empathy observation biology Mood curious analytical Type scientific reflective When to use this quote - field research - wildlife photography - conservation work - teaching biology Key Concepts ethology embodied cognition Questions to Reflect On - How does embodying an animal change your observations? - What limits exist in this method? A Different Perspective May lead to anthropomorphism, misinterpreting animal behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gazing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gazing/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Like Species](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-species-996856/) [Lizard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lizard/) [Lizard Gazing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lizard-gazing-5431465/) [Lizard Lizard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lizard-lizard-4542828/) [Lizards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lizards/) [Species](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/species/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Watching Lizard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching-lizard-5431466/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [Wait, the Jesus lizard is the lizard that runs on top of the water, not the lizard that shoots blood out of its eyes?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-alejandro-king/wait-the-jesus-lizard-is-the-lizard-that-runs-on-top-of-the-water-not/) [John Alejandro King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-alejandro-king/) > [“It's a strange world you live in, Abraham Seventh." "You have a dragon in your backyard." "It's a lizard." "A lizard with wings." "Okay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-monk/it-s-a-strange-world-you-live-in-abraham-seventh-you-have-a-dragon-in/) [Devon Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-monk/) > [Here we find the moat of thieves. And just as a lizard, with a quick, slick slither, Flicks across the highway from hedge to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/here-we-find-the-moat-of-thieves-and-just-as-a-lizard-with-a-quick/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [Why does the lizard stick his tongue out? The lizard sticks its tongue out because that's the way its listening and looking and tasting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shatner/why-does-the-lizard-stick-his-tongue-out-the-lizard-sticks-its-tongue/) [William Shatner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shatner/) > [“I feel more human when I compare the cuteness of a lizard to a newborn child's sweetness. Both are God's creations filled with precious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/i-feel-more-human-when-i-compare-the-cuteness-of-a-lizard-to-a/) [Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/) > [The lizard isn't listening and the lizard doesn't care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/the-lizard-isn-t-listening-and-the-lizard-doesn-t-care/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [Every lizard lies on its belly, so we cannot tell which has a belly-ache](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/every-lizard-lies-on-its-belly-so-we-cannot-tell-which-has-a-belly/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [I come in peace...Take me to your lizard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/i-come-in-peace-take-me-to-your-lizard/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [“My wife is a lovely leathery green, the blue-tongued lizard said; Her eyes are as red as bulldog ants, lurking in holes in her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-alexander-stewart/my-wife-is-a-lovely-leathery-green-the-blue-tongued-lizard-said-her/) [Douglas Alexander Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-alexander-stewart/) > [And there's nothing wrong with being a lizard either. Unless you were born to be a hawk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-there-s-nothing-wrong-with-being-a-lizard-either-unless-you-were/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You want us to bargain with a lizard?” “They’re not lizards, Father. They’re extraordinary creatures who were here long before any human was crawling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/you-want-us-to-bargain-with-a-lizard-they-re-not-lizards-father-they/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [Under the ground seep the toxins of the population that lives above. If you have to, you will eat roots and earthworms. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/under-the-ground-seep-the-toxins-of-the-population-that-lives-above/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [Tell your lizard (brain) to shut up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/tell-your-lizard-brain-to-shut-up/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [I am the Lizard King, I can do anything!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-morrison/i-am-the-lizard-king-i-can-do-anything/) [Jim Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-morrison/) > [“Even lizard + baby can be director.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-robert/even-lizard-baby-can-be-director/) [Robert Robert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-robert/) ## More by Desmond Morris > [As long as the human race is able to concern itself with more than mere survival, soccer will have its place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/as-long-as-the-human-race-is-able-to-concern-itself-with-more-than/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [Clearly, then, the city is not a concrete jungle, it is a human zoo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/clearly-then-the-city-is-not-a-concrete-jungle-it-is-a-human-zoo/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [People who keep dogs live longer on average than those who do not. This is not some kind of pro-canine campaigning fantasy. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/people-who-keep-dogs-live-longer-on-average-than-those-who-do-not/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [Life is like a very short visit to a toy shop between birth and death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/life-is-like-a-very-short-visit-to-a-toy-shop-between-birth-and-death/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [The idea that it is funny to see wild animals coerced into acting like clumsy humans, or thrilling to see powerful beasts reduced to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/the-idea-that-it-is-funny-to-see-wild-animals-coerced-into-acting/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [The roots of our Soccer Tribe lie deep in our primeval past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/the-roots-of-our-soccer-tribe-lie-deep-in-our-primeval-past/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [The response of teenagers to their idols is relevant. As an audience, they enjoy themselves, not by screaming with laughter, but screaming with screams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/the-response-of-teenagers-to-their-idols-is-relevant-as-an-audience/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [“A belief in the validity of the acquisition of knowledge and a scientific understanding of the world we live in, the creation and appreciation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/a-belief-in-the-validity-of-the-acquisition-of-knowledge-and-a/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [A true bond of friendship is usually only possible between people of roughly equal status. This equality is demonstrated in many indirect ways, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/a-true-bond-of-friendship-is-usually-only-possible-between-people-of/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [“My writing, on the other hand, is always done with my readers in mind. I never write for my own amusement. I always try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/my-writing-on-the-other-hand-is-always-done-with-my-readers-in-mind-i/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [The city is not a concrete jungle, it is a human zoo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/the-city-is-not-a-concrete-jungle-it-is-a-human-zoo/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [Life is like a very short visit to a toyshop between birth and death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/life-is-like-a-very-short-visit-to-a-toyshop-between-birth-and-death/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [...In little more than a single century from 1820 to 19450, no less than fifty-nine million human animals were killed in inter-group clashes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/in-little-more-than-a-single-century-from-1820-to-19450-no-less-than/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [Monks, nuns, long-term spinsters and bachelors and permanent homosexuals are all, in a reproductive sense, aberrant. Society has bred them, but they have failed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/monks-nuns-long-term-spinsters-and-bachelors-and-permanent/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) > [Looking back now on the whole sexual scene we can see that our species has remained much more loyal to its basic biological urges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-morris/looking-back-now-on-the-whole-sexual-scene-we-can-see-that-our/) [Desmond Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) [Explore all 37 Desmond Morris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-morris/) ## More Gazing quotes > [One reason why my memory decays is that I have three cats, all so loving and insistent that they play cat's-cradle with every train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-townsend-warner/one-reason-why-my-memory-decays-is-that-i-have-three-cats-all-so/) [Sylvia Townsend Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-townsend-warner/) > [The Bible is to us what the star was to the wise men; but if we spend all our time in gazing upon it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-adams/the-bible-is-to-us-what-the-star-was-to-the-wise-men-but-if-we-spend/) [Thomas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-adams/) > [ \[S\]he stood for some moments gazing at the sisters, with affection beaming in one eye, and calculation shining out of the other. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/s-he-stood-for-some-moments-gazing-at-the-sisters-with-affection/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I love these pet names," she said, gazing soulfully up into his eyes, "Nitwit. Sap skull. Termagant. How they make my heart flutter!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-chase/i-love-these-pet-names-she-said-gazing-soulfully-up-into-his-eyes/) [Loretta Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-chase/) > [Lo! while we are gazing, in swifter haste Stream down the snows, till the air is white, As, myriads by myriads madly chased, They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-c-bryant/lo-while-we-are-gazing-in-swifter-haste-stream-down-the-snows-till/) [William C. Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-c-bryant/) > [Watch it, minx," he warned with a lift of his brow. "If you intend to taunt me for every foolish statement I've made in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/watch-it-minx-he-warned-with-a-lift-of-his-brow-if-you-intend-to/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [When the peacock has presented his back, the spectator will usually begin to walk around him to get a front view; but the peacock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/when-the-peacock-has-presented-his-back-the-spectator-will-usually/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [I sit at my window gazing The world passes by, nods to me And is gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/i-sit-at-my-window-gazing-the-world-passes-by-nods-to-me-and-is-gone/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Truth be told, the inward gaze is something she's not too fond of. But there are secrets that lurk in the mind, and she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alden-bell/truth-be-told-the-inward-gaze-is-something-she-s-not-too-fond-of-but/) [Alden Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alden-bell/) > [His hands slipped from his throat, and he crashed to the ground like a tree falling. "Oh, dear," said Pangborn, gazing at the fallen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/his-hands-slipped-from-his-throat-and-he-crashed-to-the-ground-like-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Constantly practice the habit of inwardly gazing upon God. You know that something inside your heart sees God. 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