Deep Dive: Animal Signals
What helps killer whales recognize members of their group?
Distinctive pod songs
What year did Dr. Patterson begin working with Koko?
1972
What do dogs use the left hemisphere of their brain for?
Processing emotional content in speech.
Why is communication essential for group-living animals?
It helps them survive—alerting danger, hunting, bonding, etc.
Which two species rely most on sound-based communication?
Birds/killer whales and gorillas/dogs (depending on context). Most direct: killer whales & birds.
How do alarm calls benefit bird communities?
They warn members of predators or danger
What is “interspecies communication”?
Communication between humans and animals.
What does the right hemisphere of a dog’s brain process?
Words/content the dog recognizes
How do humans benefit from understanding animal communication?
How do humans benefit from understanding animal communication?
Compare the purpose of pheromones in ants and wolves.
Ants use them to guide others; wolves use them to claim territory.
Why is scent marking effective for wolves?
It communicates ownership without physical confrontation.
What does studying gorilla communication help scientists understand about gorillas in the wild?
How they interact and use natural gestures/sounds.
Why is dog communication context-dependent?
Gestures or sounds can mean different things based on the situation
Why might scientists study multiple species’ communication?
To compare how different animals solve similar problems.
How are gorilla gestures and dog gestures different?
Gorilla gestures are social/emotional; dog gestures are often requests or signals to humans.
What do primates use gestures to do?
Interact, bond, persuade, or communicate needs.
Why is Koko considered an important research subject?
Her large vocabulary and ability to use signs showed primate language potential.
What is one theory of how dogs learned to interpret human gestures?
Through domestication or learning that understanding humans earns rewards.
How might dog communication research help people with disabilities?
Better-trained service animals that respond to signals accurately.
What do killer whales and dogs have in common regarding teamwork?
Whales hunt as a group; dogs work with humans (service, police, herding).
How does nonverbal communication in animals compare to human communication (according to Passage 1)?
Both use signals to connect, influence behavior, or work together.
Name one way gorilla communication provides insight into human evolution.
It shows early forms of communication humans may have shared (gestures, expressive signaling).
What makes dogs different from wolves in communication?
Dogs use direct eye contact with humans
How does animal communication reflect the needs of each species?
Each species develops signals suited to survival (scent for wolves, gestures for primates, sound for killer whales, etc.).
Create one theme that connects all 3 passages.
Animals communicate in many ways (sound, scent, gestures) to survive, connect, and interact with humans or their own species.