Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
@biotay.bsky.social
Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró, Goffin Lab, Vienna, Austria
PhD^2 and Ninja Biologist.
Animal Behavior and Comparative Cognition.
Human perch for cockatoos.
Also here: twitter.com/BioTay
More about me here: https://osunamascaro.weebly.com/
PhD^2 and Ninja Biologist.
Animal Behavior and Comparative Cognition.
Human perch for cockatoos.
Also here: twitter.com/BioTay
More about me here: https://osunamascaro.weebly.com/
Pinned
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
1/2 Veronika in winter continues to leave us speechless.
Now there are no annoying horseflies or bites to scratch, but it's time to get rid of the winter coat, and there's nothing better than a good stick with sharp edges.
Now there are no annoying horseflies or bites to scratch, but it's time to get rid of the winter coat, and there's nothing better than a good stick with sharp edges.
February 11, 2026 at 7:15 PM
1/2 Veronika in winter continues to leave us speechless.
Now there are no annoying horseflies or bites to scratch, but it's time to get rid of the winter coat, and there's nothing better than a good stick with sharp edges.
Now there are no annoying horseflies or bites to scratch, but it's time to get rid of the winter coat, and there's nothing better than a good stick with sharp edges.
1/2 Aquanauts experience changes in consciousness similar to astronauts
This occurs in those who live underwater for days without coming to the surface.
They change, becoming less self-centered and more connected to nature.
(paper) journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
This occurs in those who live underwater for days without coming to the surface.
They change, becoming less self-centered and more connected to nature.
(paper) journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
February 11, 2026 at 6:43 PM
1/2 Aquanauts experience changes in consciousness similar to astronauts
This occurs in those who live underwater for days without coming to the surface.
They change, becoming less self-centered and more connected to nature.
(paper) journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
This occurs in those who live underwater for days without coming to the surface.
They change, becoming less self-centered and more connected to nature.
(paper) journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
1/9 Great apes can imagine just like us
This simple study tested Kanzi's ability to imagine and play along with the researchers, acting as if what he imagined were real.
I discuss it here at @eldiario.es (in Spanish)
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/bon... by @aberron.bsky.social
This simple study tested Kanzi's ability to imagine and play along with the researchers, acting as if what he imagined were real.
I discuss it here at @eldiario.es (in Spanish)
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/bon... by @aberron.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 9:25 AM
1/9 Great apes can imagine just like us
This simple study tested Kanzi's ability to imagine and play along with the researchers, acting as if what he imagined were real.
I discuss it here at @eldiario.es (in Spanish)
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/bon... by @aberron.bsky.social
This simple study tested Kanzi's ability to imagine and play along with the researchers, acting as if what he imagined were real.
I discuss it here at @eldiario.es (in Spanish)
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/bon... by @aberron.bsky.social
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
El bonobo que juega a las ‘tacitas’ con zumo imaginario: los simios comparten la capacidad humana de fantasear
Por @aberron.bsky.social
Por @aberron.bsky.social
El bonobo que juega a las ‘tacitas’ con zumo imaginario: los simios comparten la capacidad humana de fantasear
Nuevos experimentos confirman que estos animales son capaces de jugar con objetos inexistentes igual que hacen los niños. “En su mente, pueden concebir cosas que no existen”, dicen los expertos
www.eldiario.es
February 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
El bonobo que juega a las ‘tacitas’ con zumo imaginario: los simios comparten la capacidad humana de fantasear
Por @aberron.bsky.social
Por @aberron.bsky.social
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
🙈El bonobo Kanzi muestra que la capacidad de imaginar no es solo humana
🗨️ @biotay.bsky.social: "Existen evidencias experimentales de monos capaces de manipular mentalmente figuras visuales" sciencemediacentre.es/el-bonobo-ka...
🗨️ @biotay.bsky.social: "Existen evidencias experimentales de monos capaces de manipular mentalmente figuras visuales" sciencemediacentre.es/el-bonobo-ka...
February 5, 2026 at 7:15 PM
🙈El bonobo Kanzi muestra que la capacidad de imaginar no es solo humana
🗨️ @biotay.bsky.social: "Existen evidencias experimentales de monos capaces de manipular mentalmente figuras visuales" sciencemediacentre.es/el-bonobo-ka...
🗨️ @biotay.bsky.social: "Existen evidencias experimentales de monos capaces de manipular mentalmente figuras visuales" sciencemediacentre.es/el-bonobo-ka...
SPAR supermarkets are promoting a broom and stick set in Austria with Veronika.
It reads:
“Einstein among the cows: Spar sells Vroni's back scratcher set”
Vroni is the diminutive form of Veronika, of course.
Thanks to Özge Nasa for the tip!
It reads:
“Einstein among the cows: Spar sells Vroni's back scratcher set”
Vroni is the diminutive form of Veronika, of course.
Thanks to Özge Nasa for the tip!
January 22, 2026 at 2:56 PM
SPAR supermarkets are promoting a broom and stick set in Austria with Veronika.
It reads:
“Einstein among the cows: Spar sells Vroni's back scratcher set”
Vroni is the diminutive form of Veronika, of course.
Thanks to Özge Nasa for the tip!
It reads:
“Einstein among the cows: Spar sells Vroni's back scratcher set”
Vroni is the diminutive form of Veronika, of course.
Thanks to Özge Nasa for the tip!
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
🐶❄️☀️
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
January 20, 2026 at 11:10 AM
🐶❄️☀️
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
We’re studying how dogs are affected by cold and heat stress. If you have a dog, please consider completing our anonymous online questionnaire (15–30 min) or sharing it with others who might be interested.
👉 survey.vetmeduni.ac.at/index.php/83...
#DogWelfare #CitizenScience
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Yesterday it was cows using tools, today its penguins using satellite imagery.
January 20, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Yesterday it was cows using tools, today its penguins using satellite imagery.
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Last week I had the privilege of speaking with @auersperga.bsky.social and @biotay.bsky.social about a very talented cow. She's called Veronika, she's fabulous and she's currently getting a lot of well-deserved attention. Here's my piece for @iflscience.com:
www.iflscience.com/we-didnt-eve...
www.iflscience.com/we-didnt-eve...
“We Didn't Even Think About Looking”: Broom-Wielding Veronika Shows Tool Use In Cows Isn't So Absurd After All
Veronika the cow is the first documented example of flexible, multipurpose tool use in cattle – and she’s also a very good girl.
www.iflscience.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Last week I had the privilege of speaking with @auersperga.bsky.social and @biotay.bsky.social about a very talented cow. She's called Veronika, she's fabulous and she's currently getting a lot of well-deserved attention. Here's my piece for @iflscience.com:
www.iflscience.com/we-didnt-eve...
www.iflscience.com/we-didnt-eve...
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Cow Tools!
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
We have lived alongside cows for nearly 10,000 years.
We breed them and exploit them
It is now, only now, that we have discovered THEY CAN USE TOOLS
Here I describe our study
(paper) www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... in @currentbiology.bsky.social
with @auersperga.bsky.social
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Mi primo @biotay.bsky.social demostrado científicamente que, si no te las comes o si no las matas en una plaza de toros, las vacas desarrollan inteligencia suficiente para usar herramientas:
www.abc.es/ciencia/vero...
www.abc.es/ciencia/vero...
'Veronika', una vaca suiza, sorprende a los científicos al ser la primera que usa herramientas
El animal, mascota de un panadero austriaco, se rasca con un palo o una escoba que sostiene con la boca, una habilidad que nunca antes había sido confirmada en el ganado
www.abc.es
January 19, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Mi primo @biotay.bsky.social demostrado científicamente que, si no te las comes o si no las matas en una plaza de toros, las vacas desarrollan inteligencia suficiente para usar herramientas:
www.abc.es/ciencia/vero...
www.abc.es/ciencia/vero...
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Todos los detalles, aquí: www.eldiario.es/sociedad/vac...
La vaca que desafía a los científicos y pondrá en apuros a los taurinos
Veronika, una vaca austriaca que es capaz de usar un cepillo para rascarse y emplearlo de formas diversas, es el primer caso de utilización de herramientas en modo multiuso después de los chimpancés. ...
www.eldiario.es
January 19, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Todos los detalles, aquí: www.eldiario.es/sociedad/vac...
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
“El hallazgo nos sitúa ante una realidad incómoda para ciertas tradiciones”, dice Miquel Llorente, especialista en cognición animal. “Ya no hablamos solo de evitar el dolor físico, sino de una sofisticación mental que choca frontalmente con el uso de estos animales en espectáculos de maltrato”.
January 19, 2026 at 4:20 PM
“El hallazgo nos sitúa ante una realidad incómoda para ciertas tradiciones”, dice Miquel Llorente, especialista en cognición animal. “Ya no hablamos solo de evitar el dolor físico, sino de una sofisticación mental que choca frontalmente con el uso de estos animales en espectáculos de maltrato”.
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Veronika, una vaca austriaca que es capaz de usar un cepillo para rascarse y emplearlo de formas diversas, es el primer caso de utilización de herramientas multiuso después de los chimpancés. Los expertos creen que tiene serias implicaciones en el debate taurino. Un trabajo de @biotay.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Veronika, una vaca austriaca que es capaz de usar un cepillo para rascarse y emplearlo de formas diversas, es el primer caso de utilización de herramientas multiuso después de los chimpancés. Los expertos creen que tiene serias implicaciones en el debate taurino. Un trabajo de @biotay.bsky.social
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Esta vaca es la BOMBA ‼️La vaca que desafía a los científicos y pondrá en apuros a los taurinos www.eldiario.es/1_c51dd7?utm...
La vaca que desafía a los científicos y pondrá en apuros a los taurinos
Veronika, una vaca austriaca que es capaz de usar un cepillo para rascarse y emplearlo de formas diversas, es el primer caso de utilización de herramientas en modo multiuso después de los chimpancés. ...
www.eldiario.es
January 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Esta vaca es la BOMBA ‼️La vaca que desafía a los científicos y pondrá en apuros a los taurinos www.eldiario.es/1_c51dd7?utm...
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Our new paper (with @biotay.bsky.social) is out and on the cover story of @currentbiology.bsky.social !!!! Veronika, a Carinthian mountain cow flexibly uses a “multi-purpose tool” to scratch herself. A video and more information will follow in the comments.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
January 19, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Our new paper (with @biotay.bsky.social) is out and on the cover story of @currentbiology.bsky.social !!!! Veronika, a Carinthian mountain cow flexibly uses a “multi-purpose tool” to scratch herself. A video and more information will follow in the comments.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Ze Frank is the best, and "the Goffin's cockatoos make the New Caledonian crows look like Old Caledonian crows" (this it's an actual comment on YouTube!)
Don't miss this video about our work at the Goffin Lab (and the Tanimbar Lab!)
"I've seen a cockatoo. I've seen a cockatoo 🤘"
Don't miss this video about our work at the Goffin Lab (and the Tanimbar Lab!)
"I've seen a cockatoo. I've seen a cockatoo 🤘"
January 18, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Ze Frank is the best, and "the Goffin's cockatoos make the New Caledonian crows look like Old Caledonian crows" (this it's an actual comment on YouTube!)
Don't miss this video about our work at the Goffin Lab (and the Tanimbar Lab!)
"I've seen a cockatoo. I've seen a cockatoo 🤘"
Don't miss this video about our work at the Goffin Lab (and the Tanimbar Lab!)
"I've seen a cockatoo. I've seen a cockatoo 🤘"
1/4 The effect of psychedelics on animal models has been studied the WRONG way. .
Here they analyze 109 studies with psychedelics in rodents (from 2019 to 2024). In the vast majority of studies, the “set and setting” is the same as that which would be used in humans to cause a bad trip.
Here they analyze 109 studies with psychedelics in rodents (from 2019 to 2024). In the vast majority of studies, the “set and setting” is the same as that which would be used in humans to cause a bad trip.
January 18, 2026 at 6:51 PM
1/4 The effect of psychedelics on animal models has been studied the WRONG way. .
Here they analyze 109 studies with psychedelics in rodents (from 2019 to 2024). In the vast majority of studies, the “set and setting” is the same as that which would be used in humans to cause a bad trip.
Here they analyze 109 studies with psychedelics in rodents (from 2019 to 2024). In the vast majority of studies, the “set and setting” is the same as that which would be used in humans to cause a bad trip.
1/7 The presence of mothers and allostasis
Normally, foals are separated from their mothers at 4 to 7 months of age. Under natural conditions, they remain with their mothers for up to a year. In this study, brain and metabolic development in both situations was compared.
Normally, foals are separated from their mothers at 4 to 7 months of age. Under natural conditions, they remain with their mothers for up to a year. In this study, brain and metabolic development in both situations was compared.
January 18, 2026 at 6:25 PM
1/7 The presence of mothers and allostasis
Normally, foals are separated from their mothers at 4 to 7 months of age. Under natural conditions, they remain with their mothers for up to a year. In this study, brain and metabolic development in both situations was compared.
Normally, foals are separated from their mothers at 4 to 7 months of age. Under natural conditions, they remain with their mothers for up to a year. In this study, brain and metabolic development in both situations was compared.
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
This is one of the points we brought up in our recent paper about how risk management (esp. as it relates to toolmaking) may be different in early hominins than in living humans. Variation in social/cultural behavior is key! See here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
January 16, 2026 at 10:53 AM
This is one of the points we brought up in our recent paper about how risk management (esp. as it relates to toolmaking) may be different in early hominins than in living humans. Variation in social/cultural behavior is key! See here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
1/4 Horses can smell human fear
In this experiment, mares that smelled the scent of humans exposed to the movie Sinister (2012) became more fearful.
Here is the news story (with my opinion in Spanish) at @eldiario.es
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/cab...
In this experiment, mares that smelled the scent of humans exposed to the movie Sinister (2012) became more fearful.
Here is the news story (with my opinion in Spanish) at @eldiario.es
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/cab...
January 16, 2026 at 9:22 AM
1/4 Horses can smell human fear
In this experiment, mares that smelled the scent of humans exposed to the movie Sinister (2012) became more fearful.
Here is the news story (with my opinion in Spanish) at @eldiario.es
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/cab...
In this experiment, mares that smelled the scent of humans exposed to the movie Sinister (2012) became more fearful.
Here is the news story (with my opinion in Spanish) at @eldiario.es
www.eldiario.es/sociedad/cab...
1/7 Look, Mom, no hands!
They have studied the age at which chimpanzees take the most risks (jumping and doing crazy things from tree to tree). It turns out that they have a peak in childhood, and it decreases as they grow older. This tells us something very interesting about ourselves.
They have studied the age at which chimpanzees take the most risks (jumping and doing crazy things from tree to tree). It turns out that they have a peak in childhood, and it decreases as they grow older. This tells us something very interesting about ourselves.
January 16, 2026 at 8:59 AM
1/7 Look, Mom, no hands!
They have studied the age at which chimpanzees take the most risks (jumping and doing crazy things from tree to tree). It turns out that they have a peak in childhood, and it decreases as they grow older. This tells us something very interesting about ourselves.
They have studied the age at which chimpanzees take the most risks (jumping and doing crazy things from tree to tree). It turns out that they have a peak in childhood, and it decreases as they grow older. This tells us something very interesting about ourselves.
1/3 Jellyfish and anemones also sleep, despite not having a brain
Not only do they sleep, but their behavior is affected if they lack sleep; they become clumsier and need to catch up on lost sleep. Interestingly, they sleep 8 hours a day, just like us.
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Not only do they sleep, but their behavior is affected if they lack sleep; they become clumsier and need to catch up on lost sleep. Interestingly, they sleep 8 hours a day, just like us.
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
January 14, 2026 at 11:32 AM
1/3 Jellyfish and anemones also sleep, despite not having a brain
Not only do they sleep, but their behavior is affected if they lack sleep; they become clumsier and need to catch up on lost sleep. Interestingly, they sleep 8 hours a day, just like us.
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Not only do they sleep, but their behavior is affected if they lack sleep; they become clumsier and need to catch up on lost sleep. Interestingly, they sleep 8 hours a day, just like us.
(paper) www.nature.com/articles/s41...
1/2 Ai, the chimpanzee who revolutionized science from Kyoto, has died at the age of 49.
She was the first chimpanzee to learn Arabic numerals.
Here you can see her in action in Tetsuro Matsuzawa's laboratory.
She was the first chimpanzee to learn Arabic numerals.
Here you can see her in action in Tetsuro Matsuzawa's laboratory.
January 14, 2026 at 8:37 AM
1/2 Ai, the chimpanzee who revolutionized science from Kyoto, has died at the age of 49.
She was the first chimpanzee to learn Arabic numerals.
Here you can see her in action in Tetsuro Matsuzawa's laboratory.
She was the first chimpanzee to learn Arabic numerals.
Here you can see her in action in Tetsuro Matsuzawa's laboratory.
Reposted by Tay (Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró)
Excited to share that the second paper of my PhD is now published!
Kea but not cockatoos are susceptible to a bait-and-switch magic trick. And check out that thermal imaging! ❤️🔥
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
Kea but not cockatoos are susceptible to a bait-and-switch magic trick. And check out that thermal imaging! ❤️🔥
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
December 17, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Excited to share that the second paper of my PhD is now published!
Kea but not cockatoos are susceptible to a bait-and-switch magic trick. And check out that thermal imaging! ❤️🔥
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...
Kea but not cockatoos are susceptible to a bait-and-switch magic trick. And check out that thermal imaging! ❤️🔥
royalsocietypublishing.org/rsos/article...