Research
Comparative Cognition
To better understand the evolution of intelligence across the animal kingdom, it is necessary to test and compare the cognitive abilities of many species. Raccoons, striped skunks, and coyotes demonstrate incredible skill at adapting to human landscapes. By comparing the learning and problem-solving abilities of these species, I hope to better understand the similarities and differences in their cognition, and how each may use cognition to thrive in urban areas. Most recently I have been using a classic "Skinner Box" to assess and compare their reversal learning abilities, which will provide new insight on the cognitive flexibility of mesocarnivores.
This project is in collaboration with USDA/APHIS National Wildlife Research Centers, as well as Eli Bridge at the University of Oklahoma and Joost Huizinga at UBER AI labs.
Cognition in the Wild
Studying the cognition of animals in the wild is an exciting method for investigating evolution in natural systems. Studies of animal behavior and cognition in urban environments can reveal how anthropogenic change is affecting the evolutionary trajectory of wildlife. For "nuisance" species often involved in conflict with humans, studies of cognition in urban areas can also help us advance humane conflict mitigation strategies and perhaps even promote coexistence with urban wildlife.
I work with the University of Wyoming Raccoon Project to study the learning and problem-solving abilities of wild raccoons and skunks. I use a variety of tools, including puzzle boxes, automated feeders, night vision cameras and RFID technology, to understand how urban mesocarnivores approach novel challenges in their environment, and how they associate with one another.
The Raccoon and the Pitcher
In Aesop's classic fable "The Crow and the Pitcher," a thirsty crow drops stones into a pitcher of water to raise the water level high enough to take a drink. This story has been the inspiration for "The Aesop's Fable Paradigm," which tests whether subjects understand cause and effect relationships. However, because this test has only been given to a few species, we wanted to assess if mammalian carnivores also understand the principles of water displacement. We trained raccoons to drop stones into a tube of water to get a floating marshmallow reward, then presented our subjects with different objects (e.g. large vs. small stones, sinking vs. floating balls). We predicted that if the raccoons understood the causal properties of water, then they would select the object that is more efficient at displacing water. Interestingly, raccoons did not always pick the correct choice, but instead created their own solutions. This study not only provides new insight on the cognition and innovativeness of raccoons, but also reveals what happens when we apply standardized tests with a new and different type of animal.
This research was conducted in collaboration with the USDA/APHIS National Wildlife Research Center in Colorado.
Felid Ethogram
An ethogram is a list of behaviors exhibited by a species or taxon, and thus is an important tool used in the study of animal behavior. Members of the family Felidae (felids, or cats) are widely studied in both captivity and the wild. Despite some species-specific behaviors (vocalizations, hunting strategies), felids share very similar behavioral repertoires. To create a working ethogram for the Felidae, we conducted a review of published articles and books containing behavioral definitions for felids. We found that felid studies can be grouped into three main categories (domestic cats, big cats, and small exotic cats) and that the largest difference in behavior among felids is between domestic and non-domestic cats. Using this information, we created a standardized felid ethogram of “base behaviors” that can be altered using pre-defined modifiers. This flexibility in ethogram construction can accommodate the requirements of individual studies while also retaining consistent terminology. This consistency will make future comparisons of felid behavior easier and more reliable.
