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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Animals The Logic of Dolphin Sociality

Posted by on Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 10:17 AM

The order of things for this particular mammal:

Shark Bay dolphins organise themselves into three different types of alliances.

The first is pairs or trios that work together to capture and herd fertile females. "These consortships can last over a month," Dr Connor explained.

In a "second-order alliance", the animals form "teams" of between four and 14 males which mount attacks on other groups to take their females, or to defend against attacks.

In a third level, the dolphins have "friendly relations" between these larger teams; they join forces to form larger dolphin armies, working together to defend their females against other large, aggressive groups.


Apparently, animals need to be "incredibly smart to operate in this type of society."

This post would exist without a tip from Bart Reynolds.

 

Comments (6) RSS

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Urgutha Forka 1
Seems like this post deserves a THE LADIES tag
Posted by Urgutha Forka on April 3, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Fnarf 2
All of the arguments for the super-intelligence of dolphins collapse in the face of the many, many equally complex behaviors of birds.
Posted by Fnarf http://www.facebook.com/fnarf on April 3, 2012 at 10:48 AM
3
and so that accounts for the intelligent organization of half the dolphin population. what does the other half do? form frenemies cliques and backbiting squads? plot the overthrow of that bitch who got all the boys to swim in a circle around HER? stage little jealousy-inducing flirtations with one of the the other tribes?
Posted by ellarosa on April 3, 2012 at 11:02 AM
Supreme Ruler Of The Universe 4

Therefore the whole point of having a mammal having a big brain is to get laid.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe http://www.you-read-it-here-first.com on April 3, 2012 at 12:43 PM
JonnoN 5
link to article?
Posted by JonnoN on April 3, 2012 at 4:13 PM
6
I fucking Googled it for you and this appears to be the link (no clickable link because I'm anonymous, sad)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17522450
Posted by LMGTFY on April 4, 2012 at 8:40 PM

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