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“This Was Not Accidental”: Scientists Unravel Video Supposedly Showing a Pet Cow Using Tools (thedebrief.org)

submitted 1 day ago by artifex@piefed.social to c/science@lemmy.world

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Scientists investigating video of a cow using tools, and later conducting some basic psychology experiments on said cow, say their findings could expand the list of animals capable of tool use.

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[–] RamRabbit@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (3 children)

I'm also a bit confused on why any of this is news. Cow scratchers are a thing you can just buy. Cows readily use them.

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 1 day ago

thing is, if you call that tool usage then it's also tool usage to.. do most things, really. Is it tool usage when chinchillas take dust baths to clean themselves?

[–] AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world 21 points 1 day ago

A cow using a scratcher is doing something that provides an immediate reward. The cow that selects and manipulates an appropriate stick is planning ahead for a future reward.

[–] artifex@piefed.social 10 points 1 day ago

I think they make a distinction between acting on an object and merely using the environment. The first requires more agency, I guess.