Smooth-coated otters copy when young, by Su_G_©SuSchaefer Curtain Panel bysu_g

'Smooth-coated otters copy when young, by Su_G' (https://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/7241945): my entry in Spoonflower's 'Significant Otters' Design Challenge. (Also 'Otters, companion text by Su_G' (https://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/7242081).) The title refers to recent findings that otters – specifically, smooth-coated otters - learn by watching and copying each other. Scientists performed their usual tricks, creating puzzles baited with food, and the otters watched and copied each other's problem-solving techniques. Young otters were more likely to copy, and solved the puzzles more than six times faster than their parents. The scientists concluded that “smooth-coated otters adopt a 'copy when young' strategy”. You can read more at: Otters learn by copying each other (University of Exeter) (https://phys.org/news/2017-08-otters.html#jCp) © Su Schaefer 2018 with thanks to Dr. Nicole Duplaix whose picture I used as my reference, and researchers at U Exeter. See more 'animal' designs by Su_G. (https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/su_g?shop_selection=tag&tag=animals) See other designs by Su_G. (https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/su_g?sort=freshtastic) Original: Ink pen + watercolor on paper, half-brick repeat. [Currently set @ Fabric: 266 ppi ; Wallpaper: 200 ppi; can be resized: Spoonmail or comment below before ordering] [ Filename: 2Copy when young ]