"Sentinel species are animals or other organisms sensitive to environmental threats and able to react before humans. At different points in history, birds, guinea pigs, mice, rabbits, horses, and other animals had served as sentinels of toxins and other dangers. Canaries were the original carbon monoxide detectors in mines. In the presence of toxic air, birds would show distress before miners were significantly affected."
"Canaries were selected among the other potential sentinel species because of their small size, and especially because of their intense air metabolism. Some people assume that canary's sensitivity reflects a defect or a weakness, but the opposite is true. Birds' intense breathing makes them sensitive to airborne poisons-but it is also what allows them to fly. Sensitivity is a part of design for strength."
Neurodivergent individuals frequently detect dangers and problematic patterns earlier than others and are often ignored despite accurate warnings. Historical sentinel species, such as birds, guinea pigs, mice, rabbits, and horses, have signaled environmental toxins before human harm occurred. Canaries functioned as carbon monoxide detectors in mines because their intense air metabolism made them highly sensitive to airborne poisons. Sensitivity in animals supports survival capabilities like flight and should not be viewed as a defect. Human sensitivity can act as an early detection system for organizational and environmental risks. Designing environments that heed early warnings can reduce harm and wasted resources.
Read at Psychology Today
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