Sea lion whiskers can move like human fingertips: here’s how we found out
Lo, a California sea lion, was able to control what she perceives using her whiskers — a highly cognitive skill.
I am a Senior Lecturer in Comparative Physiology and Behaviour at Manchester Metropolitan University. My research interests are in the fields of Animal Behaviour and Sensorimotor Systems, focussing on how animals move and sense. In particular I research the behaviour and physiology of whisker touch sensing and locomotion. As a comparative Biologist I work closely with academic institutions, museum collections and zoos in the UK and worldwide, in order to ask questions across a wide range of species.
Lo, a California sea lion, was able to control what she perceives using her whiskers — a highly cognitive skill.