聰明動(dòng)物趣事

Fruit Flies Think Before They Act

果蠅先想后行動(dòng)

A fruit flys lifespan is usually less than 60 days. Its not much time for them to develop advanced mental capabilities. But a study from Oxford University shows that fruit flies actually think before they act. They even take more time when making difficult decisions， although they obviously cant take more than 60 days.

果蠅的壽命通常不超過(guò)60天，對(duì)它們來(lái)說(shuō)要發(fā)展高級(jí)智能這點(diǎn)時(shí)間并不夠。但是牛津大學(xué)的一項(xiàng)研究發(fā)現(xiàn)果蠅通常會(huì)先想后行動(dòng)。它們甚至?xí)ê芏鄷r(shí)間去做艱難的抉擇，盡管很明顯，它們思考的時(shí)間不能超過(guò)60天。

Asian Elephants Comfort Others in Distress

亞洲象會(huì)安慰情緒低落的同伴

Consolation is rarely seen in animals， possibly because it may require empathy. But a study published in the journal Peer J shows that Asian elephants will now join the select group of animals scientifically shown to display this behavior. Until now， the group has only included great apes， ravens and certain other corvids， and canines.

安慰這一行為在動(dòng)物中很少見(jiàn)，這可能是因?yàn)榘参啃枰楦泄缠Q。但是一項(xiàng)發(fā)布在Peer J雜志上的研究顯示，科學(xué)證實(shí)亞洲象已加入了能表現(xiàn)安慰行為的精英動(dòng)物團(tuán)體。直到現(xiàn)在，會(huì)表現(xiàn)出這一行為的動(dòng)物僅僅有類人猿、烏鴉以及其他一些鴉科動(dòng)物和犬齒類動(dòng)物。

Rats Have Memories Like Computers

老鼠有像計(jì)算機(jī)一樣的記憶功能

Like computers， rats have short-term， random-access memories that store information used in ongoing processes. Humans and crows also have these working memories.

像計(jì)算機(jī)一樣，老鼠也有短期的隨機(jī)存取的記憶功能。人和烏鴉也有這種記憶功能。

Zebra Finches Fake It to Make It

斑胸草雀善于偽裝

Unlike male song sparrows， zebra finches arent giving their potential mates the opportunity to judge. If a zebra finch is sick， it will fake being healthy in front of other zebra finches， especially if theres a chance to mate. No word on what else theyre faking.

和雄性歌帶鹀不一樣，斑胸草雀不會(huì)給它們的潛在配偶評(píng)判的機(jī)會(huì)。如果一只斑胸草雀生病了，它會(huì)在其同類面前裝作很健康的樣子，在它有機(jī)會(huì)結(jié)交配偶的情況下尤其如此。很難說(shuō)，它們還有什么偽裝。