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Animal Minds

The neuroscience of behavior in the wild.

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.

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.

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
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?

Animal Behavior
That Seagull Will Have What You're Having

Mary Bates Ph.D. on May 29, 2023

Seagulls seem to be everywhere in coastal cities and towns. Part of their success may be due to their ability to pay attention to and "read" human behavior.

Seagulls seem to be everywhere in coastal cities and towns. Part of their success may be due to their ability to pay attention to and "read" human behavior.

Persuasion
Hiding Seeds? It Depends on Who’s Watching

Mary Bates Ph.D. on May 15, 2023

Food-storing birds not only have to remember the location of their caches, but also protect them from thieves. How does a species' sociality affect their food hiding strategies?

Food-storing birds not only have to remember the location of their caches, but also protect them from thieves. How does a species' sociality affect their food hiding strategies?

Cognition
Cats Get the Point of Pointing

Mary Bates Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

Does your cat get what you mean when you point at something? Despite being less social than dogs, cats also seem to understand human pointing gestures.

Does your cat get what you mean when you point at something? Despite being less social than dogs, cats also seem to understand human pointing gestures.

Education
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
The Real Reason Some 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.

Memory
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?