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Tanuki

(16,448 posts)
Wed Apr 1, 2026, 04:47 PM 4 hrs ago

Googly eyes may deter seagulls from stealing your beach food



https://www.thewhitbyguide.co.uk/scientists-believe-that-googly-eyes-might-help-stop-seagulls-from-stealing-your-chips/

..."Researchers from the University of Exeter recently tried putting googly eyes on takeaway boxes to see if it would deter hungry gulls. It might sound silly, but the idea is based on animal behaviour.

Many animals are very sensitive to eye contact. Looking directly into a human's or another animal's eyes signals danger or a threat. So when gulls see a pair of “eyes” looking back, they might hesitate before trying to steal food.

The results from the experiment were surprisingly good.

Gulls approached more slowly, hesitated more often, and were generally less likely to peck at food that appeared to be “watching” them.".... (more)
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Googly eyes may deter seagulls from stealing your beach food (Original Post) Tanuki 4 hrs ago OP
Misleading. johnp3907 4 hrs ago #1
That guy is safe: Dave Bowman 3 hrs ago #2
Nip it in the bud! Harker 3 hrs ago #4
gulls eat pigeons, pelicans also eat pigeons. better that than toxic human food nt msongs 3 hrs ago #3
we got 'em right here! Skittles 2 hrs ago #5
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