P:All right, Jenison and Clod have been assigned read part of our discussion today on animal cognition. Are you both ready?
W: Well, Clod and I looked into at the tool making ability of wild animals, and we came across an article about how a scientist named Gavin Hunt has claimed to discover a breed of crows with superior tool making abilities. He claims that the tools these birds make are different from the tools that other animals make in several ways. For one thing, the crows make different types of tools for different situations. Also, the tools are very sophisticated, for example, they design tools with hooks which they used when they are looking for food. And third, Ah, Clod, what was the third thing?
M: He claims that such the crows may actually intentionally modify their tools to a specific shape before using them. Other animals like sea otters do due use stone to pound open the shell of crab and other prey. And chimpanzees have been observed have puzzle be modifying
leaves to use as umbrellas. But these activities don't meet all three criteria for planned tool making.
W: Yeah, and these crows even keep track of their tools when they change hunting site. For example, they generously take their tools with them and when they eat they usually hold onto their tools with their feet.
P:Interesting! And what is the significance of Hunt's study?
M: Well, some scientists argued that the crows may have been born with this behavior. But if Hunt can prove that they really do intentionally modify their tools, their behavior will be
measurably different from that of other animals and could be considered cognitive.
W: Right, no other wild animal has this ability to design, make, and standardize tools. This ability was thought stopped to be unique to human.