Since we were all children, we've all harbored a sort of folk belief that animals, such

as dogs and cats, can sense an earthquake before it comes.

Not just a few seconds, but hours or days or weeks.

It's a belief so common that few of us even think to question it.

But science has come to our rescue.

Published studies have now put this belief to the test.

Today we're going to find out if we were all right or wrong.

The truth behind animal earthquake prediction is coming up today on Skeptoid.

You're listening to Skeptoid.

I'm Brian Dunning from Skeptoid.com.

Animal earthquake prediction.

It's true if you've ever been to the movies or gotten your education from the University

of YouTube.

Animals can predict earthquakes, and they can do it hours, days, or weeks in advance.

However, if you get your information from more conventional sources, you probably know

that this claim is by no means widely held among seismologists.

The question of whether animals can sense impending quakes seems particularly thorny, but

it turns out it really isn't after all.

But before we get too far into the subject, let's be clear on what we're not talking

about, and that's the genuine ability of many animals to sense some earthquakes a few

seconds before most people can.

As human beings, our survival and success depends much more upon abstract thought than upon

...