Cetaceans

Grammar Revealed in a Whale’s Love Song

Greg Schnippel — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:55:41 -0700

To the casual human listener, the love song of a humpback whale sounds
magnificently free-flowing and improvised. But fresh mathematical
analysis of the song shows there are complex grammatical rules. Using
syntax, the whales combine sounds into phrases, which they further
weave into hours-long melodies packed with information.

Extinction nears for whales and dolphins

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:28:11 -0700

Whale culture: Distinct dialects

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:27:51 -0700

Image problem

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:05:58 -0700

Brainy Dolphins Pass the Human 'Mirror' Test

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:05:51 -0700

With brains second only to those of humans in relative size, superb memories, sonar systems more sophisticated than any navy\'s, and complex social structures, dolphins are often considered geniuses of the seas.

Clever mimics and quick learners, dolphins have an uncanny ability to confound researchers, those who have studied them in captivity and in the wild say. But in recent decades, scientists have made progress in unraveling the complexities of the dolphin\'s mind and social life, and have begun to create a detailed portrait of these remarkable animals.

Hey Flipper, What\'s Shaking?

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:05:39 -0700

Dolphins Whistle 'Hello'

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:05:39 -0700

Wild dolphins greet each of their pals using individual whistle signatures. Until now this sort of behaviour has only been found in birds and humans. Previous research with captive dolphins shows that each one has a unique whistle and can mimic another dolphin's whistle perfectly after hearing it just once.

Information Theory and Whale Song

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:05:51 -0700

Dolphin-Safe Entertainment

Greg Schnippel — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 19:05:50 -0700