Heat waves impair animal cognition, study finds
Research on southern pied babblers in South Africa shows that extreme heat affects animal problem-solving abilities, according to a study published in a scientific outlet. On hot days, the birds failed to navigate around a transparent barrier to reach mealworms, instead persistently pecking at the obstacle. The study is part of a growing field indicating that heat waves muddle animal cognition, with effects including reduced learning in birds, increased biting in dogs, and more aggressive behavior in chamois. Amanda Ridley, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Western Australia and coauthor of the pied babbler study, stated that such cognitive impairments can reduce animals’ ability to find food and avoid predators, lowering their chances of survival. With climate change making heat waves more common, these effects could ripple through ecosystems, potentially harming pollinators, birds, and their young. Ridley noted that a changing climate makes behavioral adaptation even more critical. The article also reports that some animals, like bees, use water droplets to cool their brains during flight.
What’s reported
Female southern pied babblers on hot days are unable to figure out that they can go around a see-through barrier to reach mealworms, instead pecking at the barrier.
The experiment is part of research showing that heat waves impair animal cognition, including birds struggling to learn, dogs biting more, and chamois picking fights.
Amanda Ridley said that if animals cannot stay alert to find food or avoid predators, their survival chances decline.
Climate change making heat waves more common could cause cognitive impairments to ripple through ecosystems, putting fragile species at greater risk.
Ridley stated that a changing climate means behavioral adaptation becomes even more important.
Birds spend less time feeding and singing during heat; they sit with wings spread and pant. Bees splash their faces with water droplets for convective cooling of the brain, according to neuroscientist Emily Baird.
Key figures
Amanda Ridley, behavioral ecologist at the University of Western Australia, coauthor of the pied babbler study.
Emily Baird, neuroscientist at Stockholm University.
Sources: Ars Technica
