Pigs haven’t worked out how to fly but a new study has shown they can be taught to play video games with their snouts.
The discovery is the culmination of more than two decades of research into the intelligence levels of swine. (Yes, people do this for a living – and over 20 years!)
Pigs were kept at the Pennsylvania State University for the duration of the study before it was found they could be trained to use a joystick and to move a cursor around a computer screen with their snouts.
Researchers used positive reinforcement by dispensing treats whenever the pigs successfully completed a task until the pigs started to excel at video games.
The results were described as ‘remarkable’, although pigs weren’t able to outperform chimpanzees and other primates, who are widely accepted to be an intelligent species.
“That pigs can do this to any degree should give us pause as to what else they are capable of learning and how such learning may impact them,” said lead author Dr. Candace Croney.
Why? You might ask.
Unfortunately, the study ended before researchers could look into the possibility of communicating with pigs using a similar interface.
An opportunity missed?
