Science
Related: About this forumCan Prairie Dogs Talk?
Can Prairie Dogs Talk?An Arizona biologist believes that their sounds should be considered
language and that someday well understand what they have to say.
By FERRIS JABRMAY 12, 2017
htuttle
(23,738 posts)Warpy
(110,913 posts)There are different barks for humans vs other predators, sex, whether a human is carrying something, and variations have been surmised to contain things like color of clothing or fur.
They're an interesting species, intensely social and relying on sentinels to warn foraging dogs of approaching danger.
One of the neatest things I've seen out here is a whole group of them lined up at the edge of an off ramp, catching the early morning sun in March.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)It implies that they know humans are a different kind of threat, that we use weapons, and that they've figured out that that is info worth conveying.
Is this just conjecture in someone's recent paper or is it well established?
Because it sounds like a really BIG insight into the intelligence of these animals.
Warpy
(110,913 posts)and was surprised the language was that refined, but then they've had thousands of years of experience with human on the hunt. It would be appropriate and to them it could be the difference between "hunter" and "passer by." We don't know the whole dictionary, only that there is one, and we don't know grammar and syntax, or if they exist.
They do appear to be smart little buggers, though.
CanonRay
(14,038 posts)"Don't shoot me in your stupid contests"
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)It's flat and has grass. Imagine how dull that conversation gets.