The music of Bach and the brains of crocodiles usher in a new era for explorers who use fMRI [functional magnetic resonance imaging] technology. A study documents this bold new step: “Functional MRI in the Nile Crocodile: A New Avenue for Evolutionary Neurobiology,” Behroozi Mehdi, Brendon K. Billings, Xavier Helluy, Paul R. Manger, Onur Güntürkün, […]
Tag: crocodile
How curious is the kangaroo (and other animals)
We’re rapidly approaching the semicentennial anniversary of the classic and yet-to-be-replicated study ‘Curiosity in Zoo Animals’ (Behaviour, Volume 26, Issue 1). Investigators Stephen E. Glickman and Richard W. Sroges* performed an extensive series of experiments with kangaroos and more than 100 other species of zoo animals, to see how curious they were. The team presented […]
Crocs, Fruits and Seeds
Perhaps it’s not all that widely appreciated that several members of Crocodylia (that’s the taxonomic order, not a thrash metal band) are quite partial to a bit of fruit now and again. In fact, reveals a new paper in the Journal of Zoology “ … there is little doubt that on occasion, fruit is deliberately […]
Crane Dances as Play Behavior
Question: Which of the three individuals in this photo is officially listed as an author of the study “Crane Dances as Play Behavior,” [Ibis, vol. 155, 2013, pp. 424-425]? ANSWER: Vladimir Dinets, the one in the middle. BONUS: His new understanding of crocodiles and alligators.