Researchers from Tel Aviv University have conducted a groundbreaking study on free-ranging Egyptian fruit bats, attempting to determine if animals possess high and complex cognitive abilities comparable to humans. The study, published in Current Biology, focused on examining the bats' episodic memory, mental time travel, planning ahead, and delayed gratification.

Led by Prof. Yossi Yovel and Dr. Lee Harten from the School of Zoology and Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University, the research team embarked on this study to challenge the notion that these cognitive abilities were exclusive to humans. Their objective was to test these capabilities in wild animals, specifically the colony of fruit bats located in TAU's I. Meier Segals Garden for Zoological Research.

The researchers hypothesized that fruit bats, which rely on fruit trees for survival, would need to develop the ability to mentally track the availability of food both spatially and over time. To test this hypothesis, the bats were equipped with tiny high-resolution GPS trackers, enabling the recording of flight routes and visited trees over several months.

One of the research questions focused on whether bats are capable of forming a time map in their minds. The researchers confined the bats to the colony for varying periods, ranging from one day to a week, to assess if they could discern the passage of time and adjust their behavior accordingly. Results showed that older bats avoided trees that had stopped bearing fruit, indicating that they were able to estimate the elapsed time since their last visit. In contrast, younger bats lacked this ability, suggesting that it is a learned skill.

The study also investigated whether the bats exhibited future-oriented behaviors and had the capacity to plan ahead. The researchers observed the bats' routes to their first tree of the evening, which could indicate premeditated plans made prior to leaving the colony. Findings revealed that bats flew directly to specific trees they knew, sometimes flying faster when the tree was further away. Additionally, the bats displayed delayed gratification by passing by other trees, even if they were previously visited, focusing solely on their selected target. The researchers also discovered that the timing of the bats' departure from the colony influenced their preference between sugar-rich fruits and protein-rich sources.

Prof. Yovel emphasized that this study highlights the cognitive abilities of fruit bats in terms of personal experiences, planning ahead, and decision-making. He argues that the cognitive gap between humans and animals is not as distinct as previously believed, as this research shows animals can exhibit complex cognitive processes.

The findings of this study shed light on the remarkable abilities of fruit bats and challenge the long-standing assumption that certain cognitive traits are unique to humans. It further suggests that humans and animals are situated on a continuum of cognitive capabilities. With this research, the boundaries of what was thought to be exclusively human intellect are being redefined.

Further studies can now build upon these findings and explore the cognitive abilities of other animal species, offering new insights into the intricate workings of the animal mind.

The study, titled "Time-mapping and future-oriented behavior in free-ranging wild fruit bats," was published in Current Biology and conducted by researchers from Tel Aviv University's School of Zoology, Sagol School of Neuroscience, and the National Public Health Laboratory of Israel's Ministry of Health.

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