Sperm Whales May Have Names

[mercat]

Subtle variations in sperm-whale calls suggest that individuals announce themselves with discrete personal identifier. To put it another way, they might have names

Comments

[owlsie]

instantly made me think of Carl Sagan's quote:

“It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are reported to have learned English - up to fifty words used in correct context - no human being has been reported to have learned dolphinese.”

[haruhiko]

[owlsie]

WHOOP

BSSHHHHHH

[castalianspring]

Good idea! New language/communication tag :)

[mercat]

Awesome, thanks! :D

[runandtelldat]

I was watching a docu about Orcas the other day. They're scary smart. It made me glad that they were confined to the ocean and couldn't prowl the land.

Excellent article, btw.

[smiling_gurl]

Yet. @___@

[runandtelldat]

Why you gotta be like that? ;_;

[keeperofthekeys]

Very cool. I'm not surprised at this at all. They've shown some interesting stuff about prairie dogs having distinct sounds to describe not only basic shapes, but particular scientists who were observing them, including the color of shirt they were wearing.

[mercat]

Woah, that's awesome! Do you have any articles/links about that?

[keeperofthekeys]

It was featured on Radiolab here. It looks like Con Slobodchikoff is the research professor you're looking for.

[mercat]

Very awesome! Thanks! :D

[telemann]

I meant to watch a Nat Geo special about decoding whale song(s). :/