Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: melaniejs on 24/02/2020 13:48:01

Title: Have animals of the same species ever used sign language with each other?
Post by: melaniejs on 24/02/2020 13:48:01

Chris, a 5 Live listener, asks:

There are several examples of great apes learning sign language.  Are there any cases where two animals of the same species have used their sign language skills to talk to each other?  And has there ever been a case of two different species using sign language with each other?
 
If the answer is ‘yes’, what did they say?

Anyone know?

Title: Re: Have animals of the same species ever used sign language with each other?
Post by: alancalverd on 24/02/2020 17:09:14

Dogs do it all the time, cats are less expressive. Only biped primates can signal with their fingers, which limits the scope of species somewhat - others either don't have fingers, or fall over in mid-sentence.   

Hares talk to dogs and foxes. If a hare sees a fox, it raises and wiggles its ears, signing "don't bother to chase me - I can outrun you" but if it sees a dog, it flattens its ears and crouches, knowing that it can't outrun its pursuer. 

Title: Re: Have animals of the same species ever used sign language with each other?
Post by: evan_au on 24/02/2020 22:14:38

Birds have feathers and tails which they can manipulate to give signals. These are frequently used in courting rituals.

Title: Re: Have animals of the same species ever used sign language with each other?
Post by: RD on 25/02/2020 00:28:41

Semaphore frogs ...

Signing gorilla ...

Title: Re: Have animals of the same species ever used sign language with each other?
Post by: evan_au on 25/02/2020 09:05:20

In some species, your life depends on it...

Title: Re: Have animals of the same species ever used sign language with each other?
Post by: Colin2B on 26/02/2020 08:43:27

Quote from: evan_au on 25/02/2020 09:05:20

In some species, your life depends on it...

Or do it just for fun ....