Scientists have long debated whether humans possess a unique cognitive edge over other species. But recent discoveries suggest that we are not as exceptional as we like to think.
Take, for example, Veronika, a 13-year-old brown Swiss cow who has been observed using a broom to scratch her backside. The research, published in Current Biology, reveals that Veronika picks up the broom with her tongue and uses it to manipulate her body in ways that would be impossible without human-like tool use.
However, this finding is not surprising to some experts. A farmer friend of Helen Pilcher's, who regularly interacts with cattle, attributes their intelligence to a soap opera-style existence, complete with characters and plot twists. According to her, cows are quick learners, easily bored, and have a penchant for mischief – traits that may be familiar to fans of animal television dramas.
But the Veronika story serves as a reminder that we often underestimate the abilities of non-human animals. Tool use, which was once thought to be a uniquely human behavior, has been observed in various species, including chimpanzees, sea otters, and crows.
In fact, the more we study animal behavior, the more we realize how similar they are to our own cognitive processes. Sea otters, for instance, use stones as hammers and anvils to dislodge molluscs anchored to the seafloor. Crows fashion hooks from plant stems to extract larvae from logs. And "firehawks" – raptors that have been spotted picking up burning sticks from wildfires – can then drop them elsewhere to ignite fresh fires.
It seems that we are not as exceptional as we like to think, and our supposed superiority may be just an illusion. As Pilcher notes, the story of Veronika tells us more about human nature than it does about cows' intelligence. We have become so blinded by our own self-importance that we fail to see how animals possess rich inner lives and complex behaviors.
Perhaps it's time for us to reevaluate our place in the natural world and acknowledge that we are not the only ones capable of remarkable feats. As Pilcher suggests, rather than trying to redefine tool use or human identity, we should simply accept that we are not as special as we like to think – and that cows, among other animals, are indeed "special" in their own right.
The discovery of Veronika's broom-scratching abilities serves as a wake-up call, reminding us that the natural world is full of intelligent and resourceful creatures that defy our expectations. By embracing this newfound understanding, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the cognitive abilities of non-human animals – and perhaps even learn to see ourselves in a new light.
Take, for example, Veronika, a 13-year-old brown Swiss cow who has been observed using a broom to scratch her backside. The research, published in Current Biology, reveals that Veronika picks up the broom with her tongue and uses it to manipulate her body in ways that would be impossible without human-like tool use.
However, this finding is not surprising to some experts. A farmer friend of Helen Pilcher's, who regularly interacts with cattle, attributes their intelligence to a soap opera-style existence, complete with characters and plot twists. According to her, cows are quick learners, easily bored, and have a penchant for mischief – traits that may be familiar to fans of animal television dramas.
But the Veronika story serves as a reminder that we often underestimate the abilities of non-human animals. Tool use, which was once thought to be a uniquely human behavior, has been observed in various species, including chimpanzees, sea otters, and crows.
In fact, the more we study animal behavior, the more we realize how similar they are to our own cognitive processes. Sea otters, for instance, use stones as hammers and anvils to dislodge molluscs anchored to the seafloor. Crows fashion hooks from plant stems to extract larvae from logs. And "firehawks" – raptors that have been spotted picking up burning sticks from wildfires – can then drop them elsewhere to ignite fresh fires.
It seems that we are not as exceptional as we like to think, and our supposed superiority may be just an illusion. As Pilcher notes, the story of Veronika tells us more about human nature than it does about cows' intelligence. We have become so blinded by our own self-importance that we fail to see how animals possess rich inner lives and complex behaviors.
Perhaps it's time for us to reevaluate our place in the natural world and acknowledge that we are not the only ones capable of remarkable feats. As Pilcher suggests, rather than trying to redefine tool use or human identity, we should simply accept that we are not as special as we like to think – and that cows, among other animals, are indeed "special" in their own right.
The discovery of Veronika's broom-scratching abilities serves as a wake-up call, reminding us that the natural world is full of intelligent and resourceful creatures that defy our expectations. By embracing this newfound understanding, we can develop a deeper appreciation for the cognitive abilities of non-human animals – and perhaps even learn to see ourselves in a new light.
Cows are actually pretty genius with those broom skills 
! I mean, Veronika's story is like, totally mind-blowing. And you're right, we've been thinking humans are the only ones who use tools in clever ways... but sea otters and crows can do it too! 
It's all about how complex their behaviors are, not just about using tools.
Maybe this is the wake-up call we need to reevaluate our relationship with the environment and other living beings.
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I mean, Veronika's broom-scratching skills are actually kinda impressive 
. It's like, we're so used to thinking of ourselves as the smartest ones in the room, but really we're just comparing apples and oranges 
. Cows have their own complex behaviors and problem-solving skills, too - we just need to learn to appreciate them for who they are 
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. We can do better than just appreciating their intelligence - we can learn from it, too 
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. We've always thought of humans as the only ones with a certain level of intelligence and cognitive abilities, but it turns out we're not as special as we think 
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. We need to stop thinking we're the only ones who can accomplish great things, because newsflash: animals are doing it too 
! Maybe instead of trying to redefine what makes us human, we should just accept that we're not as special as we like to think 
... and that's okay.
, the more I realize how ridiculous it is to think humans are the only ones capable of complex behaviors 
. But what really gets me is how our brains are wired to think we're superior 
... like, have you ever seen a cow's face? Those big brown eyes just melt my heart 
! It's time for us to take a step back and appreciate the awesomeness of animal intelligence 
. We should be learning from them, not trying to outsmart each other 
like 13 yrs old Veronika! And we're all over here thinking we're the smartest? 
. So next time you see a cow or a crow doing something clever, just smile and say "oh, that's no big deal" 
But at the same time, recognizing animal intelligence is kinda awesome 
Veronika's broom-scratching skills are just the tip of the iceberg 
. Maybe instead of competing with animals, we should just try to learn from them?
And I love how Pilcher's quote at the end sums it up so nicely - it's like she's giving us permission to let go of our ego and just appreciate the awesomeness of non-human animals 
I mean, who knew cows were so clever? And it's not just that she uses a broom to scratch her backside (although, let's be real, that's already kinda hilarious 
like veronika is literally a cow who uses a broom 2 scratch her backside and she's only 13??