Dolphins are able to carry on multiple conversations simultaniously.
Dolphins apparently have a system of identifying themselves to each other similar to the way you and I use names.
Scientists have actually known since the 1960s that this system existed. Basically, each dolphin creates their own “signature” whistle when they’re very young. In studies of captive dolphins, they used this whistle mainly when they got separated from the rest of the group. It was like a way of saying, “Hey, I’m over here!” Or, given the environment, perhaps some version of “Marco! Polo!”
But at Not Exactly Rocket Science, Ed Yong writes about a new study of wild dolphins that has really increased our understanding of signature whistles and how dolphins use them…
Continue reading… “Individual dolphins identify themselves to new dolphins they meet”
