The research of Vladimir Dinets, a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, has been featured in multiple media outlets including CNN, Voice of America and Science magazine. Dinets’ work observes two crocodilian species—muggers and American alligators—using twigs and sticks to lure birds, particularly during nest-building time. Dinets’ research is the first report of tool use by any reptiles, and also the first known case of predators timing the use of lures to a seasonal behavior of the prey—nest-building.