Pigs solve a cooperative task without showing a clear understanding of the need for a partner

Title (eng)
Pigs solve a cooperative task without showing a clear understanding of the need for a partner
Author
Jim McGetrick
Author
Jean-Loup Rault
Author
Kimberly Brosche
Author
Clémence Nanchen
Abstract (eng)
Many animal species engage in cooperation, whereby they act together, typically to achieve a common goal. Domestic pigs were recently shown to lift a log together in pairs in the joint log-lift (JLL) task to access food treats. However, it is not yet clear whether pigs understand that they need a partner for this task. To investigate this, we applied a recruitment approach similar to that used for chimpanzees, coral trout, wolves and dogs. Pigs that were proficient with the JLL task were given access to the task on their own but could open a door to recruit a familiar partner from an adjacent enclosure. Pigs opened the door in all experimental conditions, allowing the partner to enter (if a partner was present). Comparing across conditions, latencies to open the door and to return to the box after opening the door generally did not suggest that subjects understood the need for the partner. As with many animal species in cooperative tasks, pigs may achieve a complex cooperative outcome in the JLL task without a full understanding of the need for a partner.
Keywords (eng)
CoordinationJoint ActionPorcineSocial CognitionSocial Behaviour
Type (eng)
journal article
Language
[eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.vetmeduni.ac.at/o:4744
DOI
10.1038/s41598-024-84529-3
Is in series
Title (eng)
Scientific Reports
Volume
15
Issue
1
ISSN
2045-2322
Issued
2025
Number of pages
18
Publication
Springer
Version type (eng)
version of record (published version)
Date issued
2025
Access rights (eng)
open access
License
CC BY 4.0 International
Rights statement (eng)
Copyright © 2025, The Author(s)