Cognitive ability is likely linked to adaptive ability; animals use cognition to innovate and problem-solve in their physical and social environments. We investigated innovative problem-solving in two species of high conservation importance: African lions (Panthera leo; n = 6) and snow leopards (Panthera uncia; n = 9). We designed a custom multi-access puzzle box (MAB) to present a simple and effective behavioral test for the cats to explore. We measured Repeated Innovation, Persistence, Success, Contact Latency, and the Exploration Diversity of individuals interacting with the MAB. Of the six African lions, three (50%) solved one door to the box, one solved two doors (16.67%), and one solved three doors (16.67%). Of the nine snow leopards, one solved one door (11.11%), three solved two doors (33.33%), and none solved all three doors (0%). Persistence was a significant predictor of Success in African lions and snow leopards; more Persistent individuals were more likely to open a door. We also observed significant individual variation in Persistence for both species, but only snow leopards also exhibited differences in Contact Latency and Exploration Diversity. These results suggest individuals vary in their problem-solving approaches. Our findings support both species as successful, repeated innovators. Carnivores face ecological and social challenges and, presumably, benefit from cognitive abilities facilitating the successful navigation of these challenges in captivity and the wild.

认知能力可能与适应能力有关；动物利用认知在其物理和社会环境中进行创新和解决问题。我们调查了两种具有高度保护重要性的物种的创新问题解决方法：非洲狮（Panthera leo；n = 6）和雪​​豹（Panthera uncia；n = 9)。我们设计了一个定制的多通道拼图盒 (MAB)，为猫提供一个简单而有效的行为测试以供探索。我们测量了与 MAB 交互的个人的重复创新、持久性、成功、接触延迟和探索多样性。在六只非洲狮中，三只（50%）解决了一扇门，一头解决了两扇门（16.67%），一头解决了三扇门（16.67%）。九只雪豹中，一只解决了一扇门（11.11%），三只解决了两扇门（33.33%），没有一只解决了三扇门（0%）。坚持不懈是非洲狮和雪豹成功的重要预测因素。更多坚持不懈的人更有可能打开一扇门。我们还观察到这两个物种的持久性存在显着的个体差异，但只有雪豹在接触延迟和探索多样性方面也表现出差异。这些结果表明，个人解决问题的方法各不相同。我们的研究结果支持这两个物种都是成功的、反复的创新者。食肉动物面临生态和社会挑战，并且可能受益于认知能力，有助于在圈养和野外成功应对这些挑战。