Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Large Mouth that were never stocked

To be clear, I do not discount any of these behaviors, but simply point out that many claims are simply not evidenced, while others are well documented. Birds use tools (sticks and stones) to carry out tasks, and they learn to recognize a threat and take action to avoid it. With all the cell-phone video cameras around these days, I suspect many new animal behaviors will get documented. As a scientist, I have been trained to be critical and evaluate the evidence in an unbiased manner, including my own observations. The first question that I ask myself is whether there is a simpler alternate explanation that is well supported by evidence. If so, I remain critical of my speculation on a new explanation. We have had German shepherd dogs for my whole life, and I do not discount the intelligence of animals, but rather try to look at animals (and people) without confusing my speculation on a behavior with what is actually happening. This is easier said than done.