The ability to co-operate with your companions is believed to show a higher level of thought – and is an ability once thought to be unique to humans. In a recent study hyenas were found to be great team players, with a 100% success rate in a group challenge. They had to work together to reach food from a platform which they couldn’t get to alone. It was even found that when a hyena who had worked out the ‘platform puzzle’ was paired up with one who was new to it, the experienced hyena changed his behaviour – as we would when showing someone a new task.
Team players. Image courtesy of Tim Vickers
Source:
Drea, C. M., Carter, A. N. (2009)
Co-operative problem solving in a social carnivore
Animal Behaviour, 78: 967-977.