Also, gaze detection extends beyond humans [1]. Citation mentions dogs, birds, and reptiles having some degree of it. In general, attention detection via gaze o

Also, gaze detection extends beyond humans [1]. Citation mentions dogs, birds, and reptiles having some degree of it. In general, attention detection via gaze or body language would be an evolutionary advantage for any prey animal, and even a predator that is low in the overall food chain. Anecdotally, I’ve seen similar behavior in spiders, though the literature [2] tells me it’s not specifically gaze that a spider is detecting. I have hunted (to trap) spiders around my house who seem to change behavior (eg play dead) based on my attention, leading me to think that they know they are being hunted on some level well below cognition. Which, coming full circle, lines up with the literature on how crazy accurate human gaze detection is, seems like a very old, low-level function. [1] https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-015-0204-z https://doi.org/10.3758/s13420-015-0204-z [2] https://www.physoc.org/magazine-articles/some-recent-advances-in-spider-sensory-physiology/ https://www.physoc.org/magazine-articles/some-recent-advance...