Pinniped Lab
University of California, Santa Cruz
The Pinniped Cognition and Sensory Systems Lab at Long Marine Laboratory explores the inner worlds of amphibious marine mammals. Observations and experiments conducted with trained animals in the laboratory allow researchers to examine the perceptual and cognitive mechanisms that enable individuals to gather, organize, and use various types of information, and the physiological mechanisms that support behavioral plasticity. Observations made in the field allow them to see how perception and cognition are translated into decisions and actions. Comparative studies in both settings help humans to understand how ecological, evolutionary, and life history factors have influenced different marine mammal species.