Dolphins

Research shows that dolphins may be calling each other by name. Dolphins speak to each other using clicks, whistles, and whines, but can they call each other by name?

Randall Wells, one of the authors of a new study on dolphins, had this to say, "These whistles actually turned out to be names. They're abstract names, which is unheard of in the animal kingdom beyond people."

The whistles he is referring to are whistles the other dolphins mimic to get the attention of the dolphin who whistles that certain way. Instead of learning how to say someones name, like Sarah, they learn whistles.

CNN.com quoted this from the researchers at the University of St. Andrews.

"Each dolphin produces its own unique signature whistle that describes its individual identity," the researchers said in a University of St. Andrews press release. "The new study suggests that in fact dolphins are mimicking those they are close to and want to see again."

Like humans we all have unique features and names, Dolphins have unique whistles to make them different. Dolphins are able to tell who is who by the sound of the others' whistle.

Dolphins are a highly intelligent species and I think they are great. I'm sure researching them will bring us more information on how they live and what makes them unique.