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newbikesong t1_iv0bcno wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Paintballs to be shot at Dutch wolves in bid to make them less tame by FeedTheOx

Most animals would not understand that humans are the ones who throw paintballs.

Can wolves understand that?

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CatHammerz t1_iv0lovh wrote

You may be underestimating the intelligence of animals :P

If they wont learn about it, they will for sure connect seeing humans and pain.

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newbikesong t1_iv0miyp wrote

Dogs fail mirror test though.

There was actually a very similar topic of discussion.

https://www.quora.com/If-I-throw-something-to-hit-an-animal-what-animals-would-realize-that-I-am-the-attacker-not-the-thrown-thing

Dogs seem to fail it unless trained. Though I see no experimentation like mirror test.

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CatHammerz t1_iv0of75 wrote

If they don't understand the concept of it, dogs are still able to associate humans with security and food. And I guess shooting paintballs can be considered as teaching, although it sounds brutal.

We still know very little about how brains work, and determining how intelligent an animal is can be a bit difficult.

And keep in mind, these results can vary wildly in the same group. A common example is crows and ravens. I think studies have even concluded that they are actually semi conscious, although we dont know to which extent. Some unfortunate people have even found themselves harassed by groups of them for years after hurting one of them.

Dont fuck with them, I guess.

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Severe-Cookie693 t1_iv2czud wrote

What does the mirror test actually test?

I've made eye contact with my pets in the mirror, they didn't get freaked out that there where 2 of me.

Dogs also don't go by vision as much as smell.

The test is also based on ego, which is not the same thing as intelligence.

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newbikesong t1_iv2f1ft wrote

You put a paint or some other patch onto the animal's forehead and show them a mirror. If they realize themselves in the mirror, they will touch themselves in that spot.

Very few animals seem to notice themselves in mirrors. Great apes including humans, elephants, dolphins, some birds and very few fish.

Dogs never pass the test. We tend to humanize them but they are not really smart animals. They seem to have no capacity of conceptualization.

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Hetterter t1_iv0ki79 wrote

They can learn to associate humans with the pain yes

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