Nothing is worse than enjoying a day at the beach, when out of nowhere a seagull swoops down and snatches your food. Now, researchers have discovered a way to deter gulls, which are well-known for stealing food. Scientists found that gulls were less likely to approach and peck at food when the packaging featured "googly eyes." The idea builds on existing research into animal behavior, where direct eye contact is often seen as a sign of threat. When gulls think they’re being watched, they appear more cautious about taking food. While the googly eye trick isn’t foolproof, researchers found that it could still massively reduce the chances of food being stolen. In a study where 30 gulls were presented with a carry-out box with and without eyes, researchers found that over half of the birds never attempted to approach the box with eyes. The findings offer a simple and low-cost way to deal with a problem that’s become increasingly common in seaside towns, even if it’s not a guarantee that you won’t be forced to fight for your food.
