Facial and vocal discrimination in sheep

摘要: The ability of sheep, Ovis aries, to discriminate between humans and other animals on the basis facial vocal cues was tested in an enclosed Y-maze. Pairs faces or voices were presented which had a clear differential significance for sheep (i.e. versus human, dog unfamiliar breed species). Some Clun Forest Dalesbred could actively distinguish (>75% choice) different faces, with best performances being seen human (the face preferred that human). Other showed pronounced position preferences maze whatever shown although they approached faster than suggesting them. Dalesbred, but not Forest, also vocalizations alone maze. For both breeds, combining appropriate sight sound stimuli did significantly enhance performance mismatching them reduced it. In further experiment performed at more 75% choice criterion maze, inverting turning profile masking eyes all discriminating faces. another experiment, ewes male female members. During anoestrus females when oestrus those rams. Overall, these results suggest can use species, breeds members same breed. They show discriminatory is influenced by orientation, presence and, some extent, cues.