Page 116 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
WorldMags.net

How dolphins think

Their complex brain fuels the animal to process information,
store memories and solve puzzles

The emotional centre of a dolphin’s brain is Along with this amazing brainpower,
more complex than in a human brain. It has dolphins have one of the longest memories
a larger surface area and more folds, which of the entire animal kingdom. Even if
indicates that their brains have evolved to dolphins are separated for 20 years, they
process emotion. are still able to remember a familiar face.
Whale and dolphin brains also contain This was noted in aquaria in the United
specialised nerve cells called spindle States, when dolphins that had been
neurons. These cells are associated with briefly housed together at the age of only

the ability to reason, experience emotions six months old were played audio of one
and make quick decisions. These were another’s signature whistles. Upon hearing
once thought to be possessed only by the familiar call they instantly responded,
humans and were even nicknamed ‘the whereas an unfamiliar call is often ignored.
cells that make us human’. What’s more, Dolphins also have good short term
dolphins have three-times as many of memory and can remember lists of
these cells as humans do, even when items. Some dolphins are even able to
accounting for their larger brain size. Not understand sentences of human speech.
only do dolphins and their relatives have Dolphins in a 1993 study could remember

these spindle cells, but they have also had strings of up to five words and responded
them for twice as long as humans. to what the human was asking for.
“Dolphins in a 1993 study could remember
string of up to five words and responded

to what the human was asking for”

Dolphin and human
brains compared
Dolphin brains are larger than human
brains, but have the exact same areas and
components. The wrinkled surface of the brain
is called the cortex and in whales and dolphins
this layer has more folds than in humans. This
points to extreme intelligence and the dolphin
brain has evolved perfectly to help them
survive the seas.
RIGHT The
muscular dolphin
is capable of
some truly
incredible
acrobatics in and
out of the water

116
WorldMags.net
WorldMags.net