Fascinating animals, but I’m more than a bit skeptical about the oft made pronouncement that they are “the only other animals besides humans known to kill for fun.” This ascribes a level of cognitive ability and psychological complexity not even known in higher primates, based upon an anomalous behavior they still can’t entirely explain (the killing of babies and the tossing of their bodies out of the water in what appears to be a play-like behavior). Either that, or it’s an evolutionary anomaly unique in nature, with sociopathic behavior developing at a level of intelligence that shouldn’t be able to support it. After scrutinizing scientists for a while, you realize how fancifully they like to interpret their limited data.
I believe they’re a lot less intelligent than they’re given credit for. But once, sailing on the Indian River lagoon in Florida, in a replica Norwegian boat, we were under sail before a swift wind, and a pod of dolphins came and swam with us for a while. I can’t deny it was a magical moment.
I have had them follow me in my kayak and it is very surreal. I definitely felt like they were doing it intentionally. It was exciting, and fun, but I was also aware they could easily tip me, surround me and tear me to shreds if they chose. I was “a fish out of water,” so to speak, in their element, and they were allowing me to stick around, but they were in control, not me.
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Fascinating animals, but I’m more than a bit skeptical about the oft made pronouncement that they are “the only other animals besides humans known to kill for fun.” This ascribes a level of cognitive ability and psychological complexity not even known in higher primates, based upon an anomalous behavior they still can’t entirely explain (the killing of babies and the tossing of their bodies out of the water in what appears to be a play-like behavior). Either that, or it’s an evolutionary anomaly unique in nature, with sociopathic behavior developing at a level of intelligence that shouldn’t be able to support it. After scrutinizing scientists for a while, you realize how fancifully they like to interpret their limited data.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is David kicking back for the weekend.
Must be a slow night in the stacks.
It’s called multitasking…
And really good keyboarding skills.
I believe they’re a lot less intelligent than they’re given credit for. But once, sailing on the Indian River lagoon in Florida, in a replica Norwegian boat, we were under sail before a swift wind, and a pod of dolphins came and swam with us for a while. I can’t deny it was a magical moment.
Lars,
I have had them follow me in my kayak and it is very surreal. I definitely felt like they were doing it intentionally. It was exciting, and fun, but I was also aware they could easily tip me, surround me and tear me to shreds if they chose. I was “a fish out of water,” so to speak, in their element, and they were allowing me to stick around, but they were in control, not me.
Fisher Stevens be damned… they sure are tasty. Cute too.
Am I the only one who got a little hungry watching this?