African elephants have individual name-like calls for each other, similar to human names, study finds
African elephants have individual name-like calls for each other, similar to human names, study finds
Videos show how African elephants may be the first nonhuman species to use vocal name-like identifiers for each other, suggesting "the capacity for some degree of symbolic thought," researchers said.
Videos shared by researchers show how the elephants respond to call recordings addressed to them. In one, an elephant named Margaret appears to almost immediately perk up to a rumble recording addressed to her.
It's amazing to me that elephants use, among I would assume others, the name Margaret.
36 1 ReplyWell it translates to Margaret
12 0 Replyamong I would assume others
I like how this comment aknowledges the possibility that all elephants call each-other Margaret.
6 0 Reply
Oh hey, remember how terrible we are to animals?
Imagine some jackass coming up and blasting your bestie with a .45-70. RIP, Bob.
20 1 ReplyWe don't have to imagine it, humans are often just as awful to other humans
23 0 ReplyRight, I forgot about the children huddling in a hospital in Gaza as bombs drop around them...
Humans were a mistake.
15 0 Reply
I hope if we ever bridge the species communication gap, an elephant ironically names their child Dumbo.
17 0 ReplyJesus, CBS, just say they have names.
12 0 ReplyAs far as we know we could have a lot in common with elephants.
"Donatella, Margaret, quick, call the forest rangers. I just saw an African elephant standing by the lake!" – Karen, the gray
3 0 ReplyArt, check Funerals, check (also implies religion) Names, check
At this point how are they different from us. Besides the looks
Edit: implies doesn't mean prove. Funerals is one thing, but graveyards are a little different
7 6 ReplyFunerals, check (also implies religion)
Or respect for each other. Don't need religion for funerals.
21 0 ReplyTo be fair, it's entirely possible elephants have created a deity of sorts. We'd have zero way of knowing.
3 0 Reply
Funerals don't imply religion. Religionists like to pretend that it's the only reason people care about each other. But that's silly, isn't it?
18 0 ReplyThe true single reason people care about each other is money, of course /s
2 0 Reply