11-11-2020, 09:17 PM
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/scien...20538.html
Otters are naturally playful and inquisitive animals, but a new study reveals that asian short-clawed otters actively learn from one another when solving puzzles to get food.
A research team at the University of Exeter gave groups of otters a variety of different transparent containers, each containing meatballs as bait.
These plastic puzzles could be opened by twisting or pulling a particular lid or handle.
The researchers found evidence of “social learning” - as when one otter cracked the puzzle, its closest “friends” quickly figured it out too.
The otters saw each puzzle twice, several months apart, and when they came back to it, the researchers found the otters could solve the puzzle 69 per cent faster on average the second time round. They said this suggests the animals have a capacity for long-term memory.
Wow, this isn't something I've ever associated with otters. Even solving the puzzles is impressive enough, but learning the solutions from each other is even more so!
I wonder what other animals have this capability?
Otters are naturally playful and inquisitive animals, but a new study reveals that asian short-clawed otters actively learn from one another when solving puzzles to get food.
A research team at the University of Exeter gave groups of otters a variety of different transparent containers, each containing meatballs as bait.
These plastic puzzles could be opened by twisting or pulling a particular lid or handle.
The researchers found evidence of “social learning” - as when one otter cracked the puzzle, its closest “friends” quickly figured it out too.
The otters saw each puzzle twice, several months apart, and when they came back to it, the researchers found the otters could solve the puzzle 69 per cent faster on average the second time round. They said this suggests the animals have a capacity for long-term memory.
Wow, this isn't something I've ever associated with otters. Even solving the puzzles is impressive enough, but learning the solutions from each other is even more so!
I wonder what other animals have this capability?
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