Animal Minds

Animal Behavior

What Humans Can Learn From Animal Warfare

Mary Bates Ph.D. on April 22, 2024

Like humans, mongooses and termites also go to war with their own kind. What can they teach us about how inter-group conflict evolves?

Like humans, mongooses and termites also go to war with their own kind. What can they teach us about how inter-group conflict evolves?

Animal Behavior

Snakes, Self-Recognition, and Sociality

Mary Bates Ph.D. on April 11, 2024

What does it mean if snakes pass a self-recognition test, and how might that ability relate to their social lives?

What does it mean if snakes pass a self-recognition test, and how might that ability relate to their social lives?

Neuroscience

Can Dogs Understand Object Words?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on March 22, 2024

What's going on behind those puppy dog eyes? Your dog may understand more words than they let on.

What's going on behind those puppy dog eyes? Your dog may understand more words than they let on.

Animal Behavior

Learning to Live With the Coyotes Next Door

Mary Bates Ph.D. on February 27, 2024

More than 20 years of insight into the adaptable predators sharing our cities.

More than 20 years of insight into the adaptable predators sharing our cities.

Humor

Teasing Apes Suggest Humor Has Deep Evolutionary Roots

Mary Bates Ph.D. on February 15, 2024

Do apes have a sense of humor? Scientists find all four great ape species engage in playful teasing, a precursor of joking behavior.

Do apes have a sense of humor? Scientists find all four great ape species engage in playful teasing, a precursor of joking behavior.

Animal Behavior

Backyard Chickens: Poultry, Pets, or Something In Between?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on January 30, 2024

More and more people are welcoming backyard chickens into their lives. Are these birds livestock, pets, or something in between?

More and more people are welcoming backyard chickens into their lives. Are these birds livestock, pets, or something in between?

Animal Behavior

Noise Pollution Makes Birds Flock Together

Mary Bates Ph.D. on January 23, 2024

A study shows captive birds become more social in response to traffic noise. The implications of increased sociality in wild populations is largely unknown.

A study shows captive birds become more social in response to traffic noise. The implications of increased sociality in wild populations is largely unknown.

Animal Behavior

Yes, Cats Play Fetch, Too

Mary Bates Ph.D. on December 14, 2023

Does your cat play fetch? A new survey suggests the behavior might not be uncommon, but also that each cat may have their own individual play preferences.

Does your cat play fetch? A new survey suggests the behavior might not be uncommon, but also that each cat may have their own individual play preferences.

Animal Behavior

Bottlenose Dolphins Sense Electricity

Mary Bates Ph.D. on November 30, 2023

Bottlenose dolphins have keen vision and acute hearing. Now, new research shows they possess another super sense: They can feel electric fields.

Bottlenose dolphins have keen vision and acute hearing. Now, new research shows they possess another super sense: They can feel electric fields.

Animal Behavior

Meet the Falcons That Act Like Parrots

Mary Bates Ph.D. on November 20, 2023

Charles Darwin called these birds of prey "mischievous and inquisitive." How do these "flying monkeys" stack up against tool-using parrots on tests of problem-solving?

Charles Darwin called these birds of prey "mischievous and inquisitive." How do these "flying monkeys" stack up against tool-using parrots on tests of problem-solving?

Animal Behavior

What Can Headbutting Goats Reveal About Brain Injury?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on October 30, 2023

Lots of animals, from goats to woodpeckers, hit their heads. But do they incur brain damage? The answers may help us prevent or treat neurodegeneration in humans.

Lots of animals, from goats to woodpeckers, hit their heads. But do they incur brain damage? The answers may help us prevent or treat neurodegeneration in humans.

Animal Behavior

Smarter Birds Cope Better with City Noise

Mary Bates Ph.D. on October 25, 2023

Urban noise pollution can negatively affect the behavior and survival of animals, but a new study suggests that intelligence may help some individuals better cope with noise.

Urban noise pollution can negatively affect the behavior and survival of animals, but a new study suggests that intelligence may help some individuals better cope with noise.

Animal Behavior

Snow Flies Have a Trick to Survive Freezing Temperatures

Mary Bates Ph.D. on October 16, 2023

Lab experiments reveal how snow flies survive sub-zero temperatures: They self-amputate freezing limbs to prevent ice from spreading to their internal organs.

Lab experiments reveal how snow flies survive sub-zero temperatures: They self-amputate freezing limbs to prevent ice from spreading to their internal organs.

Animal Behavior

5 Potentially Harmful Myths About Cats

Mary Bates Ph.D. on September 28, 2023

How well do you understand your cat's needs and behaviors? An expert debunks five common myths about our feline friends.

How well do you understand your cat's needs and behaviors? An expert debunks five common myths about our feline friends.

Creativity

Custom-Made Drumsticks Showcase Cockatoo Creativity

Mary Bates Ph.D. on September 20, 2023

Male palm cockatoos craft drumsticks as part of their mating display. New research shows their tools are just as individualized as their performances.

Male palm cockatoos craft drumsticks as part of their mating display. New research shows their tools are just as individualized as their performances.

Attention

Dolphins Understand Human Gaze

Mary Bates Ph.D. on September 8, 2023

Eyes are important indicators of human attention. Do other animals know that? A new study suggests that captive dolphins understand human eye cues.

Eyes are important indicators of human attention. Do other animals know that? A new study suggests that captive dolphins understand human eye cues.

Animal Behavior

City Life Adds to the Stresses of Urban Coyotes

Mary Bates Ph.D. on August 29, 2023

Coyotes are increasingly making a go of it in human cities. How does urban living affect the stress levels of these wild predators?

Coyotes are increasingly making a go of it in human cities. How does urban living affect the stress levels of these wild predators?

Menopause

Post-Menopause Orca Moms Protect Their Sons

Mary Bates Ph.D. on July 20, 2023

New research in orcas shows one benefit of having a post-menopause mom: They protect their sons from being injured by other orcas.

New research in orcas shows one benefit of having a post-menopause mom: They protect their sons from being injured by other orcas.

Animal Behavior

Dolphins Talk in “Motherese” to Their Calves

Mary Bates Ph.D. on June 27, 2023

Humans are not the only mammals to use "motherese" with their offspring. Bottlenose dolphins also modify their vocalizations with their calves.

Humans are not the only mammals to use "motherese" with their offspring. Bottlenose dolphins also modify their vocalizations with their calves.

Animal Behavior

Are Humans Unique in Seeing Faces Everywhere?

Mary Bates Ph.D. on June 22, 2023

We humans are so good at recognizing faces that we see them in inanimate objects all the time. But are other primates susceptible to this illusion?

We humans are so good at recognizing faces that we see them in inanimate objects all the time. But are other primates susceptible to this illusion?