The drivers and functions of rock juggling in otters

Royal Society Open Science
Mari-Lisa AllisonNeeltje J Boogert

Abstract

Object play refers to the seemingly non-functional manipulation of inanimate items when in a relaxed state. In juveniles, object play may help develop skills to aid survival. However, why adults show object play remains poorly understood. We studied potential drivers and functions of the well-known object play behaviour of rock juggling in Asian small-clawed (Aonyx cinereus) and smooth-coated (Lutrogale perspicillata) otters. These are closely related species, but Asian small-clawed otters perform extractive foraging movements to exploit crabs and shellfish while smooth-coated otters forage on fish. We thus predicted that frequent rock jugglers might be better at solving extractive foraging puzzles in the first species, but not the latter. We also assessed whether species, age, sex and hunger correlated with rock juggling frequency. We found that juvenile and senior otters juggled more than adults. However, rock juggling frequency did not differ between species or sexes. Otters juggled more when 'hungry', but frequent jugglers did not solve food puzzles faster. Our results suggest that rock juggling may be a misdirected behaviour when hungry and may facilitate juveniles' motor development, but it appears unrelated to foraging s...Continue Reading

Associated Datasets

Apr 16, 2020·Rebecca ReedNeeltje Boogert

References

Dec 1, 1968·The Journal of Comparative Neurology·L B Radinsky
Dec 24, 1998·Journal of Neurophysiology·J A KleimR J Nudo
Dec 6, 2006·American Journal of Primatology·Charmalie A D Nahallage, Michael A Huffman
May 14, 2008·American Journal of Primatology·Jean-Baptiste LecaMichael A Huffman
Dec 22, 2010·Current Biology : CB·Sonya M Kahlenberg, Richard W Wrangham
Feb 1, 1988·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·T M Caro
Jan 20, 2011·The Quarterly Review of Biology·Kerrie Lewis Graham, Gordon M Burghardt
Dec 1, 1991·Behavioural Processes·G J Mason
Sep 25, 2014·Behavioural Processes·John W S BradshawNicola J Rooney
Jan 7, 2015·Current Biology : CB·Gordon M Burghardt
May 18, 2016·Developmental Psychobiology·Jamie Ahloy Dallaire, Georgia J Mason

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 30, 2021·Behavioural Processes·Alessandro GalloElisabetta Palagi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Royal Society Open Science
Zosia LaddsNeeltje J Boogert
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Monika BochmannHeike Weber
Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics
Samantha René Merriwether
Midwives
Cathy Atherton, Julie Griffiths
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved