Abstract

Very little is known about the cognitive abilities of reptiles. They have traditionally been considered to be “sluggish and unintelligent creatures” (Yerkes 1901, p 520) and have largely been ignored in the study of animal cognition. However, more recent research has revealed an impressive suite of cognitive abilities. To gain an understanding of the evolution of cognition in amniotes, it is necessary to carry out direct experimental investigations of the learning and memory abilities of reptiles that parallel the extensive work already available in mammals and birds. Examination of the cognitive mechanisms underlying the behaviour of these animals can provide crucial information about the evolution of the brain. This talk will present some recent research on the cognitive abilities of reptiles and compare them to what is known about these processes in other animals.

About the speaker

Prof. Wilkinson is a Professor in the School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln. Her research focuses on understanding animal cognition as part of a biological framework. She teaches a variety of courses including Animal Cognition, Animal Behaviour, Human-Animal Interactions and Research Methods. Her interests include how reptiles perceive the world, how they learn about their environment and how they use and retain this information.