Elephants as a New Model for Understanding Human Evolution
Published:24 Apr.2023 Source:Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics
The team found that elephants show many hallmarks of domestication. Similar to humans and bonobos, they have low levels of aggression, high levels of empathic and prosocial behaviour, an extended juvenile period, and increased playfulness and curiosity. Elephants form coalitions, ‘babysit’ calves, offer protection and comfort to others, and help dying or ill members of their herds -- and even the occasional outsider. There is also evidence that elephants are both self-aware and sensitive to the needs and wants of others.
Another important hallmark is elephants’ ability to learn from each other. Behaviours that are often innate in other animals -- such as what to eat or how to raise offspring -- are socially transmitted in elephants. Elephants also have a sophisticated multimodal communication system with an extensive vocal repertoire, ranging from trumpets and roars to low-frequency rumbles. For example, elephants in Kenya have different alarm calls for humans and for bees. Their varied and combined calls even show signs of grammar. Finally, the team found several candidate genes associated with domestication in elephants.