NATURE\’S HIDDEN CULTURE

Exploring the Intricate Societies and Traditions That Define Wildlife Beyond Instinct.

We think that Humans have intuitions and Animals have instincts.

If an aggressive tendency is found in a human, we eagerly label it as animal instinct.

Today, we are going to unveil some facts that point towards the idea, that animals have culture and traditions.

The recognition of cultural behaviours in wildlife is a fascinating aspect of animal behaviour.

Moreover, culture and tradition are specific to a group or community, within the same race or species.

For example, Diwali is Celebrated by the Indian community, whereas Belly dancing is part of Arabian Culture.

Similar patterns have been found in the Animal Kingdom.

For instance, A group of dolphins in the shark bay, Australia uses marine sponges to protect their noses while foraging on the seafloor.

This behaviour is passed down from mother to calf, signifying the cultural value and transmission in the dolphin. This behaviour is specific to the dolphins in Shark Bay.

To give you another example, elephants in Kenya stood silently around the body of a deceased matriarch, gently touching her with their trunks, in what appeared to be a mourning ritual.

Many aspects of nature are unknown to humankind. Nature exists beyond our comprehension.

But understanding of something begins with the known facts and overlaps.

Let us explore what we know so that we can initiate a journey to discover the hidden gems of nature.

Chimps are smart

Chimpanzees from different regions have a distinct way of using tools.

Some groups use leaves while some use sticks to extract termites from the mound.

A behaviour that has evolved from the trial and error method, which is passed down to generations.

Birdsong Dialects in Whales

Humpback whales are known for their intricate songs.

Interestingly, a different group of whales in the same ocean have their own dialect.

It’s believed that these songs are passed down through generations and may serve as a form of cultural identity within specific whale communities.

Leaf cutter ants are a farmer

Leaf cutter ants have developed an advanced agriculture system to cultivate fungi in their colonies.

The cultivation of this fungi is done by collecting leaves and requires specialised skills that are passed down to generations.

Crows and Tool Innovation

New Caledonian crows are known for their impressive tool-making skills.

Every individual crow has its unique method and design to make the tools, which is passed down to the young crows.

This suggests a cultural element in the transmission of tool-making knowledge among these birds.

Baboon Social Dynamics

Baboons have a complex social structure.

Different troops may have distinct social norms and behaviours.

Specific grooming rituals, communication patterns, or even unique ways of solving problems can vary from troop to troop.

This showcases the cultural diversity within the baboon population.

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