“Communicative and Other Cognitive Characteristics of Bottlenose Dolphins”

Scientists have studied dolphin cognition extensively, examining brain anatomy, social behavior, communication, and perception. Dolphins show intelligence levels close to humans, a complex social structure similar to chimpanzees, and vocal learning abilities shared with humans and birds. Their communication system is likely related to their social structure, but evidence on their whistle repertoire is conflicting. Dolphins perform well on auditory tasks and show sophisticated visual processing abilities. Lab studies suggest they may have minor self-recognition, challenging previous beliefs. Overall, dolphin cognition offers insights into animal intelligence and consciousness.