Ask HN: Do Animals Dream?

What is the latest scientific thinking on this?

If yes, then some related questions:

- what do animals dream of? - do they remember their dreams? - do they reflect on their dreams?

I know this sounds all very exotic, however I'm approaching this from a purely philosophical point of view - nothing more, nothing less.

I was pondering - and pondering is something very human - about the question why we are here, life, the universe and everything ... i.e. 42.

When I caught myself wondering whether animals ponder? I guess we humans have been pondering ever since we had enough time to do so. Do animals have the time to ponder? Domestic pets certainly, I would argue.

I guess we all know where this is leading to: do animals ponder that biggy question: why (are we|am i) here?