Monday, October 12, 2009

Pigs Use Mirrors to Find Hidden Food

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In just five hours, an average farm pig can learn how to interpret an image in the mirror and use it to find hidden food.

Scientists consider the ability to use a mirror a sign of complex cognitive processing and an indication of a certain level of awareness. In addition to humans and some primates, dolphins, elephants, magpies and a famous African grey parrot named Alex have all been known to retrieve objects or remove marks on their body using a mirror. Now it looks like pigs should be added to the list of clever critters that can master a mirror: After spending five hours with a mirror in their pen, seven out of eight pigs could use the reflection to find a hidden bowl of grub. MORE HERE.

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