Welcome to the Weekly Escape. Today: The cicadas are back, a 5,000-year-old murder, and new light on if we are alone in the universe. 

But first, what in the world do animals think about?

PHOTOGRAPH BY VINCENT LAGRANGE

As humans, we think of ourselves as exceptional beings—and fundamentally different from other animals—in part due to our complex emotions. But scientists are learning that animals are complex too. With evidence that rats show kindness, orcas mourn their dead, and monkeys protest injustice, how much do animal minds really resemble ours?

More on animals: 
— What’s your dog thinking? A brain scan offers clues.
— What will the cats of the future look like?

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA HALE, NGM STAFF

The average chicken egg can fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. This rare, fossilized specimen from National Geographic’s historical collection is more than 100 times larger. What laid this egg? 

A. Tyrannosaurus rex
B. Somali ostrich
C. Elephant bird
D. None of the above

BEFORE YOU GO: Why do these monkeys keep trying to mate with deer? Scientists have a few theories why...

Today’s newsletter was edited and curated by Jennifer Baik and produced by Alisher Egamov. Thanks for reading! Did someone forward this to you? Sign up for all our newsletters here.