Fruit Flies Think Before They Act

果蠅先想后行動

A fruit flys lifespan is usually less than 60 days. Its not much time for them to develop advanced mental capabilities. But a study from Oxford University shows that fruit flies actually think before they act. They even take more time when making difficult decisions， although they obviously cant take more than 60 days.

果蠅的壽命通常不超過60天，對它們來說要發(fā)展高級智能這點時間并不夠。但是牛津大學(xué)的一項研究發(fā)現(xiàn)果蠅通常會先想后行動。它們甚至?xí)ê芏鄷r間去做艱難的抉擇，盡管很明顯，它們思考的時間不能超過60天。

Asian Elephants Comfort Others in Distress

亞洲象會安慰情緒低落的同伴

Consolation is rarely seen in animals， possibly because it may require empathy. But a study published in the journal Peer J shows that Asian elephants will now join the select group of animals scientifically shown to display this behavior. Until now， the group has only included great apes， ravens and certain other corvids， and canines.

安慰這一行為在動物中很少見，這可能是因為安慰需要情感共鳴。但是一項發(fā)布在Peer J雜志上的研究顯示，科學(xué)證實亞洲象已加入了能表現(xiàn)安慰行為的精英動物團(tuán)體。直到現(xiàn)在，會表現(xiàn)出這一行為的動物僅僅有類人猿、烏鴉以及其他一些鴉科動物和犬齒類動物。

Rats Have Memories Like Computers

老鼠有像計算機一樣的記憶功能

Like computers， rats have short-term， random-access memories that store information used in ongoing processes. Humans and crows also have these working memories.

像計算機一樣，老鼠也有短期的隨機存取的記憶功能。人和烏鴉也有這種記憶功能。

Zebra Finches Fake It to Make It

斑胸草雀善于偽裝

Unlike male song sparrows， zebra finches arent giving their potential mates the opportunity to judge. If a zebra finch is sick， it will fake being healthy in front of other zebra finches， especially if theres a chance to mate. No word on what else theyre faking.

和雄性歌帶鹀不一樣，斑胸草雀不會給它們的潛在配偶評判的機會。如果一只斑胸草雀生病了，它會在其同類面前裝作很健康的樣子，在它有機會結(jié)交配偶的情況下尤其如此。很難說，它們還有什么偽裝。