Why ungulates?

As land mammals, ungulates are an important part of the course of evolution. Many domestic animals are also ungulates. They have been living with humans for thousands of years and their cognition may have been shaped by the domestication process.

What's the big question?

I am interested in studying how these animals perceive the world, hoping to provide insights into how our mind is shaped by evolution and environments.

What are we currently working on?

We are now training domestic goats (Capra hircus) to let them perform cognitive tasks on an automatic touchscreen testing system, collaborating with Kyoto City Zoo.

Currently, four goats have been successfully trained to use the touchscreen and are now engaging in cognitive tests using the touchscreen.