Do Sperm Whales Have Culture?

This podcast episode explores the discovery of distinct dialects and cultural differences among sperm whales. The researchers have identified different clans of sperm whales based on their unique click sequences, known as codas, and have found that members of the same clan can recognize each other through their shared dialect. These findings suggest that sperm whales have a complex social structure and culture, similar to that of humans. The discovery of animal culture, such as the vocal culture of sperm whales, has led to collaborations between anthropologists and animal biologists, transforming our understanding of evolution. By studying animal culture, we can learn about the cultures of our common ancestors and make inferences about their behaviors.