Context-specific tool use by Sus cebifrons

摘要: Abstract Tool use has been reported in a wide range of vertebrates, but so far not Suidae (the pigs). are widely considered to be “intelligent” and have many traits associated with tool use, this is surprising. Here, we report the first structured observations umprompted instrumental object manipulation pig, Visayan warty pig Sus cebifrons, which argue qualifies as use. Three individuals were observed using bark or sticks dig with. Two individuals, adult females, used bark, rowing motion, during final stage nest building. The third individual, an male, attempted stick Stick branch was other contexts, for digging. Our suggest hypothesis that could socially learned through vertical transmission (mother-daughter) well horizontal (female-male). When by it altered their digging affordance, had specific placement nest-building sequence. In addition its context-specificity role functional sequence, distinguished ambiguous function effectiveness behaviour, participation male female action pattern. Observations unprompted represented time phylogenetic family rare. These open new possibilities research on social learning Suidae.