PC Pals Forum

Technical Help & Discussion => Software, Hardware & Website Recommendations => Topic started by: Clive on May 03, 2004, 15:30

Title: Tool Use in Animals
Post by: Clive on May 03, 2004, 15:30

Benjamin Beck(1980) offers a fascinating story about the ingenuity of a crow which lived in his laboratory.  The crow was fed dried mash, which needs to be moistened before the crow can eat it.  However, the keepers occasionally forgot to do so.  The crow found a solution to his keepers' absent-mindedness; he used a cup to get water to moisten the mash himself!  The cup had been given to the crow as a toy but he used it to collect water from a trough on the other side of the room.

This and other examples:

http://www.pigeon.psy.tufts.edu/psych26/tools.htm

Title: Re:Tool Use in Animals
Post by: Sandra on May 03, 2004, 19:14

I cant see the link for the sheep ones Clive, so how did you come across that site  ???

Title: Re:Tool Use in Animals
Post by: Clive on May 03, 2004, 21:41

I like to go off the beaten track occasionally Sandra.   ;D

Title: Re:Tool Use in Animals
Post by: Lona on May 05, 2004, 00:44

He actually likes birds as well Sandra.  ;). Even if it's only  an old crow.  ;D

Title: Re:Tool Use in Animals
Post by: Sandra on May 05, 2004, 01:00

Chances for me and you yet then Lona, as long as we werent too fussy  ;)