Discipline: Ethology

Domestic goats can follow the direction of human voices to solve a hidden-object task

Stuart K. Watson, Christian Nawroth, Alan G. McElligott, Federico Rossano, Simon W. Townsend

Published in 2026

A study showing that goats are able to use the direction of the human voice to locate a food reward.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Caprines

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Flexible self-protection as evidence of pain-like states in house crickets

Manzi, O., Lynch, K. E., Allman, D. M., Latty, T., White, T. E.

Published in 2026

A scientific article examining the behavioral responses of the house cricket when exposed to a noxious stimulus (a burn on the antenna), a non-painful stimulus (tactile contact on the antenna), or no stimulus at all, under conditions of high or low stress. Grooming behavior was more frequent and lasted longer in response to the painful stimulus than under the other conditions. These results indicate flexible and targeted self-protection, supporting the existence of pain states in Orthoptera.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Invertebrates

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Octopus bimaculoides can learn to utilize a mirror to localize a reward outside the line of sight

Mary Kieseler, Marvin R. Maechler, Kelly R. Finn, Carl Harris, Jay Michael Vincelli, Zachary Hoffman, Navneet Dhanoa, Jean Fang, Scott Gies, James McHugh, Julia Valenti, Mira Ram, John O. Fitzgerald, Madison Augusto, David Edelman, Peter U. Tse

Published in 2026

A scientific article showing that octopuses are capable of locating prey that is hidden from their direct view but reflected in a mirror, and of navigating toward these visually hidden locations that are spatially aligned with the location of the reflected prey. These findings extend the ability to use mirrors to invertebrates, demonstrating that cephalopods can use mirror reflections for spatial navigation.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Invertebrates

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Behavioral challenges and welfare implications in lambs raised under intensive dairy sheep production systems

Simeonov M, Harmon DL, and Freitas-de-Melo A

Published in 2026

This scientific review lists the behavioral problems observed in lambs in intensive farming systems and their implications for welfare. It focuses in particular on the natural social and feeding behaviors of lambs in order to establish a framework for understanding their behavioral needs, and identifies practical interventions that can improve both lamb welfare and farm performance.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Ovines

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Vibrations and driving conditions inside a pot-belly trailer and their effect on pig behavior during transport

Conte S, Devillers N, Crowe TG, Zhang QY, Yan X, and Faucitano L

Published in 2026

Study showing that vibrations vary in different parts of a trailer and affect the balance of transported pigs. No simple relationship between vibration levels and behaviors emerged, though, suggesting that several factors are in operation.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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Transferring mice to a naturalistic environment alters their fear responses

Matthew N. Zipple, Bryson Loflin, Daniel Chang Kuo, Erin Tan, Michael J. Sheehan

Published in 2025

A study showing that anxiety observed in laboratory mice is highly dependent on their environment. Transferring them to an enriched environment that closely mimics natural conditions rapidly reduces anxious behaviors, highlighting the importance of environmental experiences in the assessment of threats and animal well-being.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Rodents

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Farming in a World Hit by the Pandemic! Rabbits Face the Challenge of Reopening

Antoine Doré, Floriane Derbez

Published in 2024

Sociological analysis of the barriers —particularly those related to health — to the transitioning of rabbit farming systems away from caged production

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories: Rabbit

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Grooming using brushes in cattle: A review of benefits, influencing factors, and monitoring opportunities

Habeeb Muraina, Borbala Foris

Published in 2026

A review of the literature shows that scratching posts are widely used by cattle and contribute to hygiene and possibly to welfare. Their use could serve as an indicator of welfare, but results vary depending on the animals’ health status, environment, and individual characteristics.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Bovines

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Bored birds? Researchers are exploring boredom as a potential welfare concern in poultry

Chloe Phelps, Virginia Tech, Leonie Jacobs

Published in 2026

An article describing boredom in poultry. Linked to a lack of stimulation, it could pose a welfare issue for poultry raised in poorly enriched environments.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Brushing as Environmental Enrichment in Dairy Cattle: Effects of Different Brushing Modalities on Behavior, Health, and Production

Maciel-Torres, S.P.; Ruiz-González, A.; Orzuna-Orzuna, J.F.; Arenas-Báez, P.; Garay-Martínez, J.R.; Granados-Rivera, L.D.

Published in 2026

Study showing that the use of brushes for dairy cows improves their welfare and can assist in health monitoring. The effects on milk production vary.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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