Animal Minds

Cognition

Bears Are Adaptable, and Persistent, Problem Solvers

Mary Bates Ph.D. on March 16, 2023

How smart is the average bear? In tests of problem-solving, brown bears showed persistence, flexibility, and evidence of learning - but no tool use.

How smart is the average bear? In tests of problem-solving, brown bears showed persistence, flexibility, and evidence of learning - but no tool use.

Identity

New Thinking on Why Sharks Bite People

Mary Bates Ph.D. on March 10, 2023

Sharks bites on people are cases of mistaken identity, right? Some scientists don't buy this hypothesis and offer an alternative explanation.

Sharks bites on people are cases of mistaken identity, right? Some scientists don't buy this hypothesis and offer an alternative explanation.

Creativity

Dogs Demonstrate Creativity, Too

Mary Bates Ph.D. on February 9, 2023

How creative is your dog? A citizen science project shows that pet dogs have the capacity for creativity, much like dolphins.

How creative is your dog? A citizen science project shows that pet dogs have the capacity for creativity, much like dolphins.

Animal Behavior

Bats’ Whiskers Aid in Feeding From Flowers

Mary Bates Ph.D. on February 8, 2023

Nectar-eating bats have muzzles full of long, forward-facing whiskers. How do they use the sense of touch when hovering to feed at flowers?

Nectar-eating bats have muzzles full of long, forward-facing whiskers. How do they use the sense of touch when hovering to feed at flowers?

Relationships

Dolphins and Humans Partner to Catch Fish

Mary Bates Ph.D. on January 31, 2023

In southern Brazil, human artisanal fishers and wild bottlenose dolphins have cooperated to catch fish for more than 100 years. Can this rare interaction be saved from extinction?

In southern Brazil, human artisanal fishers and wild bottlenose dolphins have cooperated to catch fish for more than 100 years. Can this rare interaction be saved from extinction?

Cognition

Marmosets Take Turns Watching for Danger

Mary Bates Ph.D. on January 24, 2023

Does turn-taking in marmosets indicate a sensitivity to the vulnerabilities and needs of others?

Does turn-taking in marmosets indicate a sensitivity to the vulnerabilities and needs of others?

Parenting

Rapid Vocal Recognition in Fur Seal Moms and Pups

Mary Bates Ph.D. on December 13, 2022

Within just a few hours of birth, Cape fur seal moms and pups can pick each other's voices out from the crowd. It's the most rapid vocal recognition of any mammal species.

Within just a few hours of birth, Cape fur seal moms and pups can pick each other's voices out from the crowd. It's the most rapid vocal recognition of any mammal species.

Animal Behavior

8 Arms to Throw Things at You

Mary Bates Ph.D. on November 9, 2022

In a first, scientists report that typically solitary octopuses show a unique social behavior: Throwing debris at other octopuses.

In a first, scientists report that typically solitary octopuses show a unique social behavior: Throwing debris at other octopuses.

Family Dynamics

Bystander Pigs Get Involved to Maintain Social Harmony

Mary Bates Ph.D. on November 8, 2022

How do pigs keep the peace? It depends on who is doing the fighting. After a conflict, pigs engage in both reconciliation and third-party bystander interventions.

How do pigs keep the peace? It depends on who is doing the fighting. After a conflict, pigs engage in both reconciliation and third-party bystander interventions.

Attachment

Do Cats Get What You're Trying to Tell Them?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on October 27, 2022

Here, kitty kitty! Your pet cat may understand the tone of voice you use to speak to them.

Here, kitty kitty! Your pet cat may understand the tone of voice you use to speak to them.

Empathy

How Does a Rat Ask for Help?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on October 13, 2022

Rats are surprisingly helpful to their fellow rats, especially if they ask for help and smell like they need it.

Rats are surprisingly helpful to their fellow rats, especially if they ask for help and smell like they need it.

Stress

How Does Oxidative Stress Impact Cognition in Wild Animals?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on October 11, 2022

We know oxidative stress can impact the brain, so how might it affect the cognition and behavior of wild animals? And why is this important in our changing world?

We know oxidative stress can impact the brain, so how might it affect the cognition and behavior of wild animals? And why is this important in our changing world?

Child Development

Measuring Creativity in Kids and Animals

Mary Bates Ph.D. on September 21, 2022

What do dolphins and preschoolers have in common? According to a non-verbal, cross-species test, both species can "innovate" and produce new behaviors on command.

What do dolphins and preschoolers have in common? According to a non-verbal, cross-species test, both species can "innovate" and produce new behaviors on command.

Relationships

Spot Shape Is Meaningful in Giraffe Social Circles

Mary Bates Ph.D. on September 19, 2022

Giraffe spot patterns are as unique as human fingerprints and inherited from mother to calf. A new study suggests spot shape might help giraffes recognize their relatives.

Giraffe spot patterns are as unique as human fingerprints and inherited from mother to calf. A new study suggests spot shape might help giraffes recognize their relatives.

Cognition

Why Do Humpback Whales Sing?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on September 15, 2022

Humpback whale songs sound hauntingly beautiful to us but we still know little about song function. What's going on in the mind of a singing whale?

Humpback whale songs sound hauntingly beautiful to us but we still know little about song function. What's going on in the mind of a singing whale?

Relationships

Why Do Monkeys Rub Themselves, and Others, With Onions?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on August 18, 2022

Why do monkeys rub themselves, and each other, with onions and other smelly substances? Researchers say the behavior may be "social medication."

Why do monkeys rub themselves, and each other, with onions and other smelly substances? Researchers say the behavior may be "social medication."

Environment

Rats Are Pollinators, Too

Mary Bates Ph.D. on August 9, 2022

Birds do it. Bees do it. A new study shows that even city rats do it. We're talking about pollination. City rats eat the feijoa’s flowers and may end up pollinating the plant, too.

Birds do it. Bees do it. A new study shows that even city rats do it. We're talking about pollination. City rats eat the feijoa’s flowers and may end up pollinating the plant, too.

Scent

Can Dogs Sniff Out Disease?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on July 18, 2022

Dogs have noses thousands of times more sensitive than our own. Can we train them to sniff out disease in humans, other animals, or plants?

Dogs have noses thousands of times more sensitive than our own. Can we train them to sniff out disease in humans, other animals, or plants?

Environment

Tree-Climbing Toads Surprise Scientists

Mary Bates Ph.D. on July 13, 2022

Citizen scientists in the UK have documented common toads in tree cavities and nest boxes up to nine feet off the ground. How, and why, they got there remains a mystery.

Citizen scientists in the UK have documented common toads in tree cavities and nest boxes up to nine feet off the ground. How, and why, they got there remains a mystery.

Stress

Baby Parrots Babble Like Human Infants

Mary Bates Ph.D. on June 14, 2022

Songbirds are a classic model of vocal learning. But the discovery of a babbling phase in baby parrots suggests these birds may be a better model for human language acquisition.

Songbirds are a classic model of vocal learning. But the discovery of a babbling phase in baby parrots suggests these birds may be a better model for human language acquisition.