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By: Laura O’Brien
Otters have used tools for quite some time. They even carry their own special rock around with them so that they can use it to break open hard shells! Previously, scientists believed that otters learned to use tools innately, but researchers at the University of Exeter wanted to be sure. They decided to test this idea by observing groups of otters trying to perform a new task. The task the researchers picked was opening Tupperware.
Sure, this might sound like a simple task; but otters have never seen Tupperware used, nor do they have any concept of what it may be; so placing treats inside Tupperware was an effective way to study how they react to a new and unfamiliar challenge. The scientists picked two different species of otters, the smooth-coated otter, and the Asian small-clawed otter. Both species are social, so they both have the possibility of learning from one another, however, smooth-coated otters hunt socially, whereas Asian small-clawed otters do not. This key difference makes them interesting groups to study simultaneously.
The scientists provided differently shaped and sized Tupperware to the otters, each filled with treats to entice the otters. The results of the study suggest that some otters can indeed learn through observing their peers, while others cannot. As you may have guessed, the two species of otter in this study approached their tasks very differently.
The smooth-coated otters who hunt socially were able to learn from one another. The scientists noted that the young smooth-coated otters opened their Tupperware in the same order as the otters who they interact with the most. Dr. Neeltje Boogert from Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation said, “this indicates that the juveniles copied those siblings they spent the most time with”. Furthermore, the young otters solved their puzzles six times more quickly than their parents.
While the smooth-coated otters performed very cooperatively, the Asian small-clawed otters did not. In fact, there was no evidence that the Asian small-clawed otters indicating that they had worked together to solve the puzzle.
These findings give hope that captive-bred otters can be taught the skills that they need to make it in the wild. This would be highly beneficial for conservation programs who hope to make an impact on the species of otters which are endangered and threatened.
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