Recent research by marine biologists suggests that bottlenose dolphins have names for themselves. Scientists played through a synthesizer sounds they had identified as the names of particular dolphins (so they did not sound like the voices of particular dolphins) and found that dolphins would respond to the names of other dolphins they were related to or associated with but ignored the names of strangers. This discovery suggests a much greater degree of self-awareness in aquatic mammals than was previously suspected. If this research holds up, what does it suggest about dolphins?

Question

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The research suggests that dolphins have a sense of self similar to that of humans, as they responded to specific names related to themselves or their associates but ignored the names of strangers. This implies that dolphins may have a level of self-awareness that was previously not thought to exist in aquatic mammals.

Recent Research by Marine Biologists Suggests That Bottlenose Dolphins Have