New study shows that dolphins are a lot like humans2 min read

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Dolphins have always intrigued humans. These intelligent and social creatures play an important role in keeping the environmental balance. And new research shows that they are a lot like humans!

Dr Blake Morton, a psychology lecturer at the University of Hull, and his team of fellow researchers have come out with a startling new study that shows that dolphins have developed a number of similar personality traits to humans. 

The study, Personality Structure in Bottlenose Dolphins, shows that even though dolphins and primates have evolved in completely different environments, with the last common ancestor living around 95 million years ago, there are certain similar traits especially curiosity and sociability.

The research began in 2012 and looked at 134 male and female bottlenose dolphins from eight facilities across Mexico, France, the US, the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands.

Dolphins, like many primates, have brains that are considerably larger than whats their bodies require for basic functions; this excess of brain matter powers their ability to be intelligent, and intelligent species are often very curious.

Dr. Morton, In an interview with the Guardian

Owliver Mulls:

I wonder if this curious species would be interested in our magazine for curious kids! What do you think?

The most widely accepted model of human personality is defined by five traits, regardless of environment. The traits are openness, extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness and agreeableness. Though a lot of research has been done to study the extent of similar personality traits between different primates, this is the first time personality in dolphins has been studied this way. 

Although the study has found that some personalty traits of dolphins are similar to those of humans, it does not conclude that dolphins and humans have identical personalities.

This study has aided our understanding of the fascinating world of dolphins. 

It also sheds light on the fact that there is so much for us to learn about the various marvellous creatures we share our planet with. This pursuit of knowledge is as deep as the oceans where our kindred dolphins live!

Know more about the relationship between humans and dolphins in this video:

Sourced from The Guardian