There was a great segment on "CBS This Morning" today about the Dog Cognition Center at Duke University. Who knew such a thing existed?! Well, it does. And Dr. Brian Hare has studied dog cognition there and determined that dogs are as good as small children at recognizing and understanding human gestures. Hare has co-authored a book about it and they've launched a website where you can learn more about dog smarts (CBS has posted one of their videos).
Here's the segment that aired this morning.
"The Human Spark," a new three-part PBS series hosted by Alan Alda and featuring a Duke University anthropologist, debuts tonight at 8pm on UNC-TV.
Throughout the three-part series, Alda travels the world exploring the question of exactly what differentiates us humans from other species. Alda talked to many experts in the scientific community, including Duke University Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology, Brian Hare.
Alda filmed parts of the special at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, where he interviewed Hare and spent time with chimps, including the Zoo's aggressive alpha chimp, Hondo.
And now for some lighter fare....
Brian Hare, who is not pictured at this link to his bio, is a Duke researcher and a big fan of the bonobo.
Don't know what a bonobo is? You're not alone.
To summarize: The bonobo is a rare primate quite similar in a lot of ways to the chimpanzee.
But there are some key differences as well, mostly related to sex.
Yes, sex.
Interested yet?
Read more here.
