Dolphins use names

Dolphins have long been viewed as one of the most intelligent species on Earth besides humans. Their communication and learning abilities are outstanding. In a recent study researchers claim that dolphins call to each other using distinctive whistles that serve as names. Dolphins use many different sounds for communication while hunting or playing. It turned out that when a dolphin sends a vocal message it includes a short tune that serves as its own signature whistle. When others reply they repeat this sequence to indicate who they answer to and also include their own unique sound signature. This method is very similar to the distant communication practices of humans where we include the name of the sender and the addressee for example in a postal letter or an e-mail.

Isn't it amazing that zoologists keep coming out with numerous astonishing proofs that animals have shocking behavioral similarities to us? Although we have managed to build a complex and rapidly developing civilization in the last few thousand centuries, it seems that our planet may still hold the potential to give rise to other highly intelligent species.

Read more about the study here.