Revisionist History Rat vs. Raccoon
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May 15, 2025 Delve into the urban life of Toronto where raccoons reign as clever survivors amidst human challenges. Discover the surprising intelligence of these misunderstood creatures and how they compare to lab rats in behavioral studies. Explore the implications of animal behavior research on our understanding of human society. Plus, enjoy insights on fee-free banking and its mental health benefits, linking past cleaning traditions to today’s innovations. It’s a wild ride through the complexities of coexistence and intelligence!
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Amy's Raccoon Break-In Experience
- Amy Dempsey-Raven studied raccoons after they broke into her so-called raccoon-proof bin in Toronto. - She witnessed firsthand how clever raccoons could outsmart human-designed containment measures.
Raccoons Challenge Psychology Models
- Psychologists heavily studied rats as models for human behavior but rarely studied raccoons despite their intelligence. - Early raccoon research suggested they might challenge assumptions about animal intelligence and human nature.
Lawrence Cole's Raccoon Research
- Lawrence Cole studied raccoons for his PhD and found they solved complex puzzles and showed curiosity. - His raccoons could hold mental images, suggesting high intelligence unseen in common lab animals.