this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2023
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Nature and Gardening
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We've known for decades that cetaceans have names, as their vocalisations have been very well studied. Every dolphin has its own "signature whistle" which is their name. They use it to identify themselves and to talk to each other. We've also recorded dolphins using other dolphins' signature whistles when the dolphin in question isn't present and isn't in range to hear it - there's a strong implication that they were talking about that dolphin, rather than trying to talk to them, which indicates language. We also know that dolphins choose their own names, and they construct a signature whistle that's similar to the whistles of other dolphins they've met, but not dolphins in their immediate social circle. And when there are multiple species housed together in an aquarium, they even construct signature whistles based on the whistles of the other species in the tank. With at least some cetacean species, they also have surnames, a separate sound that identifies their family group.