Researchers at Swansea University have made an intriguing discovery about the behavior of wild chacma baboons on South Africa’s Cape Peninsula. By using high-resolution GPS tracking, they found that these intelligent primates walk in lines not for safety or strategy, but simply to stay close to their friends.

For a long time, scientists believed that baboons structured their travel patterns, known as “progressions,” to reduce risk and optimize access to food and water. However, the new study published in Behavioral Ecology reveals that this behavior is actually driven by social bonds rather than survival strategies.

The researchers analyzed 78 travel progressions over 36 days and found that the order in which individual baboons traveled was not random. They tested four potential explanations for this phenomenon, including strategic positioning to avoid danger or gain access to resources. However, their findings show that the consistent order of baboon movement patterns is solely driven by social relationships.

According to Dr. Andrew King, Associate Professor at Swansea University, “The baboons’ consistent order isn’t about avoiding danger like we see in prey animals or for better access to food or water. Instead, it’s driven by who they’re socially bonded with. They simply move with their friends, and this produces a consistent order.”
This discovery introduces the concept of a “social spandrel.” In biology, a spandrel refers to a trait that arises not because it was directly selected for but as a side effect of something else. The researchers found that the consistent travel patterns among baboons emerge naturally from their social affiliations with each other and not as an evolved strategy for safety or success.

The study highlights the importance of strong social bonds in baboon society, which are linked to longer lives and greater reproductive success. However, this research also shows that these bonds can lead to unintended consequences, such as consistent travel patterns, which serve no specific purpose but rather as a by-product of those relationships. The findings have implications for our understanding of collective animal behavior and the potential for social spandrels in other species.

The world of cat care is about to undergo a significant transformation. For the first time, researchers have shown that video telehealth visits can be an effective way to improve the quality of life for cats suffering from chronic health conditions. The study, conducted by a team at the University of California, Davis, involved 106 pet owners whose cats had mobility issues and found that these virtual consultations significantly benefited both cat and owner.

According to lead author Grace Boone, an assistant specialist in the UC Davis Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab, “Teleadvice is meant to provide advice and support for caregivers caring for their cats.” The results of the study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, demonstrate that video calls where pet owners can ask questions and get non-medical advice can be beneficial. In fact, more than 95% of those who took part in the research said they would pay for telehealth visits, though most were willing to pay a little less than for in-clinic appointments.

A common ailment affecting cats is feline arthritis, which affects roughly 6% to 30% of cats under age 10 and from 64% to 92% of those older than 10. As Carly Moody, senior author on the paper and an assistant animal science professor, points out, “Cats are great at hiding signs of pain.” This means that chronic health issues can go undetected for a long time if owners don’t seek veterinary care.

The researchers found that video telehealth visits allowed pet owners to receive guidance on how to modify their home environment to improve their cat’s mobility and comfort. Suggestions included elevated food and water dishes, larger litter boxes with shorter walls, and additional steps to access favorite places. Pet owners reported that the visits helped them understand their cats’ needs, making them more confident in how they cared for their cats.

Telehealth visits don’t require a veterinarian; a registered veterinary technician or other knowledgeable staff member can conduct the calls, answer questions, and give advice. These consultations are meant to supplement, not replace, in-person veterinary care. In fact, the visits have the potential to foster better veterinarian-client-patient relationships by improving communication and understanding between cat owners and veterinarians.

Future research will examine whether recommended changes based on expert advice can improve a cat’s wellbeing in the home. Additionally, Moody’s lab may explore whether telehealth could be beneficial for other health issues like obesity and disease prevention.

This article highlights the potential benefits of video telehealth visits for cats with chronic health conditions and emphasizes the importance of exploring new ways to provide care that prioritizes animal welfare.

The fascinating world of felines has long been a source of comfort and companionship for humans. With their unique social behavior, ability to live in groups, and effective communication with both other cats and humans, it’s no wonder that Felis catus has been our trusted friends for millennia. Despite this intimacy, however, there is still much that remains unknown about our feline companions.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University aimed to fill this gap by investigating the genetic background of cats’ behavioral traits. Specifically, they sought to understand the association between traits like purring and variation in the androgen receptor gene. Although the exact function of purring remains unclear, previous studies have indicated that it is beneficial for feline communication and survival.

The research team conducted a comprehensive behavior assessment on 280 domestic cats, all of which were spayed or neutered mixed breeds kept in their owners’ homes. DNA samples were also collected and analyzed to compare the androgen receptor gene with that of other Felidae species. The results provided valuable insights into the genetic basis of purring and vocal communication in cats.

One of the key findings was that cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene displayed higher owner-assessed purring scores than those with long-type genes. Additionally, short-type males exhibited higher vocalization towards humans, indicating a connection between the gene and vocal communication. In contrast, female cats with the short-type gene showed higher stranger-directed aggression.

These results may also reveal a decrease in the importance of vocal communication for cats raised by humans since kittenhood, which are typically pure-breed cats. Previous studies have shown that pure-breed cats are more likely to carry the long-type gene than mixed-breed cats. Many mixed breed cats in this study were rescued former stray cats, which may imply that rescues tend to meow more.

The research team compared the androgen receptor genes of domestic cats with those of 11 other Felidae species and found that the leopard cat and the fishing cat, both closely related to domestic cats, possessed only the short-type. These findings suggest that the emergence of these longer types may be a result of genetic changes associated with domestication and selective breeding.

The implications of this research are significant, as it has the potential to help us predict behavioral tendencies based on genetic data and facilitate need-based observation and enhanced care. This could ultimately lead to improved animal welfare. The research team is planning to expand their focus to other Felidae species and hopes that through their work, they can deepen our understanding of cats and contribute to building happier relationships between cats and humans.