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cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 2:21 pm
by Michal Szkudlarek
Can amphibians use tools?

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:16 pm
by Ruggero M.
Michal Szkudlarek wrote:Can amphibians use tools?


http://insider.si.edu/wordpress/wp-cont ... C_0077.jpg

It all depends, I think, from words and definitions we humans give to things and facts.
If you consider a tool a "handheld device that aids in accomplishing a task" (definition found on the web) the answer is simply no, as far as I know.
If you consider (probably improperly) a leaf as a tool that will host eggs, and not simply as a substrate, the answer is yes... :lol:
What are you more precisely thinking about?

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:36 pm
by Ruggero M.
Found this:

"Mugger Crocodile

The Mugger crocodile is found throughout South Asia. They reach up to 16 feet in length, and have distinctively flat heads. They are very social and use sounds to communicate with each other. Mugger crocodiles have also been documented using tools to hunt. During mating season, and in areas with large numbers of birds, these crocodiles balance sticks on their noses to attract and trap birds. When the bird flies down to get the stick for its nest, the crocodile catches it. They are highly intelligent and their habits have been studied more in recent years."

https://www.allshorevirtualstaffing.com ... mphibians/

Ok a croc is not an amphibian and a stick is strictly not a "tool" according to some definitions, but nevertheless interesting... ;)

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:56 pm
by Michal Szkudlarek
Ruggero Morimando wrote:Found this:

"Mugger Crocodile

The Mugger crocodile is found throughout South Asia. They reach up to 16 feet in length, and have distinctively flat heads. They are very social and use sounds to communicate with each other. Mugger crocodiles have also been documented using tools to hunt. During mating season, and in areas with large numbers of birds, these crocodiles balance sticks on their noses to attract and trap birds. When the bird flies down to get the stick for its nest, the crocodile catches it. They are highly intelligent and their habits have been studied more in recent years."

https://www.allshorevirtualstaffing.com ... mphibians/

Ok a croc is not an amphibian and a stick is strictly not a "tool" according to some definitions, but nevertheless interesting... ;)

Yes I have read about it, I already knew that reptiles are using tools but on the other hand crocs are way more advanced than for example geckos. Today I observed my leopard gecko putting small stones into a heap to help him escape from terrarium. I did not know that this species can plan thinking forward. But amphibians are capable of it too for example African Bullfrog digs a canal to connect puddle with its offspring and bigger water reservoir- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3uO2lO9JDk

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 3:57 pm
by Ilian Velikov
Ruggero Morimando wrote:Today I observed my leopard gecko putting small stones into a heap to help him escape from terrarium.


That's a very interesting observation Michal! If it happens again it would be great if you could take a video of it. I'm very interested in seeing this behavior.

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 5:06 pm
by Michal Szkudlarek
Ilian Velikov wrote:
Ruggero Morimando wrote:Today I observed my leopard gecko putting small stones into a heap to help him escape from terrarium.


That's a very interesting observation Michal! If it happens again it would be great if you could take a video of it. I'm very interested in seeing this behavior.

https://youtu.be/i51HC3WYB30 Is it OK?

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 5:35 pm
by Ilian Velikov
Michal Szkudlarek wrote:Ilian Velikov wrote:
Ruggero Morimando wrote:
Today I observed my leopard gecko putting small stones into a heap to help him escape from terrarium.


That's a very interesting observation Michal! If it happens again it would be great if you could take a video of it. I'm very interested in seeing this behavior.

https://youtu.be/i51HC3WYB30 Is it OK?


It's a nice video Michal, thanks. However, it looks to me like he's just digging...

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 6:26 pm
by Michal Szkudlarek
Ilian Velikov wrote:
Michal Szkudlarek wrote:Ilian Velikov wrote:
Ruggero Morimando wrote:
Today I observed my leopard gecko putting small stones into a heap to help him escape from terrarium.


That's a very interesting observation Michal! If it happens again it would be great if you could take a video of it. I'm very interested in seeing this behavior.

https://youtu.be/i51HC3WYB30 Is it OK?


It's a nice video Michal, thanks. However, it looks to me like he's just digging...

Indeed you cannot see the heap but it became apparent later, after taking that video, i can show you photo of it.

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:42 pm
by Ilian Velikov
Yes, that would be nice. Did he try to climb on it after that?

Re: cognitive skills of herptiles

PostPosted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 8:02 pm
by Michal Szkudlarek
The heap was bigger but I destroyed it several times because i did not want her to escape. It is a female and she has a box with moist coconut fiber in her terrarium so she is not trying to lay eggs I think. Also she has no contact with any male and had no such contact within more than half year.
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