Investigating Cognitive Discrimination in the Domestic Rabbit: A Quantitative Approach
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Madeline Gregory, Vivian Lyday
Presenter(s): Madeline Gregory
Mentors(s): Sophia D'Agostino
Domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) remain largely understudied in cognitive research, particularly regarding their ability to discern differences between samples. This preliminary study aimed to investigate whether rabbits can recognize differences in quantities of food. The experiment involved a rabbit choosing between two equidistant trays containing differing amounts of food (1/16 cup vs. 1/4 cup), with the larger portion being randomly placed on either side to avoid bias. A standardized procedure was followed using 16 different rabbits, each making one choice. Results showed that the rabbits selected the tray with the larger quantity of food 95% of the time, yielding a p-value of less than 0.05. These findings suggest that rabbits may be capable of quantitative discrimination, offering valuable insights into their cognitive abilities and how they perceive their environment. This research also provides a foundation for future studies on rabbit cognition and societal behavior. A larger-scale study with additional subjects is underway to confirm the significance of these results, potentially leading to a broader understanding of cognitive abilities in domestic rabbits and other animals historically underrepresented in cognition research.