Nature · 2
What do dolphins use to identify and call to specific individuals across long ocean distances?
Answer
Unique individual whistles
Dolphins develop unique signature whistles that function like names — other dolphins recognise and respond to these whistles even when separated by miles of open ocean. Research by Stephanie King and others confirmed that dolphins copy and use a companion's signature whistle to get their attention.
💡 Did you know?
Dolphins name each other with unique whistles and answer when called by their individual 'name' across miles of open ocean.
Other options people guess
- Distinct click-train patterns
- Specific body postures and gestures
- Scent-based chemical signals
Topics
- dolphins
- animal-communication
- marine-life
- behaviour
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