Dolphins name themselves by using whistles to announce their identity

DOLPHINS are the only animals besides humans that give themselves names, a zoologist says.

They have figured out a way to say “this is me” by using unique signature whistles to reveal their identities to each other, believes Dr. Arik Kershenbaum.

He told the Instant Genius podcast: “When they grow up, they make themselves a whistle that is different from all the other dolphins' whistles.

“This will be a representation of their name.”

The University of Cambridge lecturer, who explores the phenomenon in his new book Why Animals Talk, said whistles let others know who is there – which is not surprising because dolphins live in fluid social networks.

Dr. Kershenbaum said these whistles are used to “announce their identity” and “let others know who is here.”

He said: “Again, that's not too surprising given the social network they live in.

“They need to know: who are you? Are you a member of my group? Are you someone I've worked with in the past?

“It is incredibly rare, in fact it is the only instance we know of in the animal world, outside of humans, where animals give themselves names.

“Here they are essentially creating their own vocal representation that they can use to say 'this is me'.”