Moko to the rescue

[Mauro Diotallevi]

On 3/13/08, Julia Thompson <degges at chiba.3jane.net> wrote:
>
>
> On Thu, 13 Mar 2008, Ray Ludenia wrote:
>
> >>
> >
> > From ABC news: (Australian ABC!)
> >
> >> *Dolphin rescues stranded NZ whales*
> >>
> [snip]
> >>
> >> "What the communication was I do not know, and I was not aware
> >> dolphins could communicate with pygmy sperm whales, but something
> >> happened that allowed Moko to guide those two whales to safety."
>
> I'm wondering if the body language between the two species is similar
> enough that it wouldn't be that difficult, especially if one party were
> desperate for help.

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere (besides _Startide Rising_) that
dolphins can actually create sonar pictures that can be viewed by
other dolphins.  In other words, to tell another dolphin there is a
shark coming, a dolphin can create a "sonar shark" to show to other
dolphins.  If this is true, then perhaps the dolphin just gave the
whales a map.

-- 
Mauro Diotallevi
Alcohol and calculus don't mix.  Don't drink and derive.