teachers who use live prey

[sergebroom]

I found the following on page 36 of Science News issue of July 15, 2006:

Meerkats are natural teachers - one of the few animals other than people so far shown to have the knack, say researchers.

Older hunters gradually introduce pups to the art of eating dinner before it runs away, reports Alex Thornton of the University of Cambridge in England. In the July 14 Science, he and his Cambridge colleague Katherine McAuliffe argue that these interactions meet the criteria for teaching.

Comments

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

You should see this: http://www.conservapedia.com/Meerkat

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

So, according to the Trustworthy Encyclopedia, I should avoid contact with meerkats. And since meerkats are also teachers, should I also avoid contact with teachers?

Vade retro, Fragano!

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

And since facts have a liberal bias, you should avoid contact with facts.

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

That being said, the article said that meerkats teach the pups how to hunt by not killing their prey after catching it. There is a risk that the pups will go hungry because the prey might escape, but their having to cope with live prey makes the learning process faster. Have you thought of adopting a similar approach with your own students?

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I'll have to think about that.