A LIONESS in Cameroon has shown that cats can use tools. Hans Bauer of Leiden
University in the Netherlands watched the lioness use a thorn held between her
teeth to pick out another thorn that was stuck in her paw. “It looked like
something you and I would do when we have a splinter in our finger,” says Bauer.
He didn’t get to see whether the lioness was successful with her improvised
needle, but the next day she showed no sign of a sore paw (African Journal of
Ecology, vol 39, p 317).
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Technology
US government wants to have a useful quantum computer by 2028
News

Life
Childbirth for many primate species is even harder than for humans
News

Humans
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
Features

91É«Ç鯬
Your menstrual cycle may affect how well vaccines work
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Where, when and how to watch the 2026 solar eclipse
2
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
3
Remote-controlled cockroach swarm can now breathe underwater
4
Our verdict on The Selfish Gene: An unpopular piece of popular science
5
We’ve uncovered a master gene that switches on human development
6
If you aren't terrified by this heatwave, you should be
7
Read an extract from Slow Gods by Claire North
8
US government wants to have a useful quantum computer by 2028
9
Screwworm could be the first species targeted by an 'extinction drive'
10
Woman with Alzheimer's starts conversing again after taking psilocybin