Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow
Abstract
. We report here our experimental demonstration of flexible egocentric tooling in a pet cow (Bos taurus), Veronika, who uses a deck brush to self-scratch. Across randomized trials, she preferred the bristled end but switched to the stick end when targeting softer lower-body areas. This adaptive deployment of tool features reveals multi-purpose tool use not previously reported in non-primate mammals. Our findings broaden the taxonomic scope of flexible tool use and invite a reassessment of livestock cognition. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Primate Behavior and Ecology
Human-Animal Interaction Studies
Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Current Biology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- R44–R45
- Publication date
- 1 January 2026
- Language
- EN