The Use Of Visual Media As A Tool For Investigating Animal Behaviour
The focus of this piece is the use of online video (particularly on YouTube) as a tool for exploring new types of animal behavior. The authors studied three kinds of media clips including dogs engaged in play with other animals, horses playing with objects, and animals’ response to iDevices (e.g., iPads). They determined that this kind of visual media can capture rare or previously unknown types of animal behavior, which can help illuminate useful directions for future research in the field of animal behavior.
[Abstract excerpted from original source.]
“In this essay we outline how video-related technology can be used as a tool for studying animal behaviour. We review particular aspects of novel, innovative animal behaviour uploaded by the general public via video-based media on the internet (using YouTube as a specific example). The behaviour of animals, particularly the play behaviour focused on here, is viewed by huge audiences. In this essay we focused on three different kinds of media clips: (1) interspecies play between dogs and a range of other species; (2) object play in horses; and (3) animal responses to stimuli presented on iPads, iPods and iPhones. We argue that the use of video is a good means of capturing uncommon or previously unknown behaviour, providing evidence that these behaviours occur. Furthermore, some of the behaviours featured on YouTube provide valuable insights for future directions in animal behaviour research. If we also take this opportunity to convey our knowledge to a public that seems to be fundamentally interested in animal behaviour, this is a good means of bridging the gap between knowledge among an academic few and the general public.”