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Elephants classify human ethnic groups by odor and garment color
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 14:55 authored by Lucy Bates, Katito N Sayialel, Norah W Njiraini, Cynthia J Moss, Joyce H Poole, Richard W ByrneAnimals can benefit from classifying predators or other dangers into categories, tailoring their escape strategies to the type and nature of the risk. Studies of alarm vocalizations have revealed various levels of sophistication in classification [1-5]. In many taxa, reactions to danger are inflexible, but some species can learn the level of threat presented by the local population of a predator [6-8] or by specific, recognizable individuals [9-10]. Some species distinguish several species of predator, giving differentiated warning calls and escape reactions; here we explore an animal’s classification of sub-groups within a species. We show that elephants distinguish at least two Kenyan ethnic groups, and can identify them by olfactory and color cues independently. In the Amboseli ecosystem, Kenya, Maasai warriors demonstrate virility by spearing elephants (Loxodonta africana), but Kamba agriculturalists pose little threat. Elephants showed greater fear when they detected the scent of garments previously worn by Maasai than by Kamba men, and reacted aggressively to the color associated with Maasai warriors. Elephants are therefore able to classify members of a single species into sub-groups that pose different degrees of danger.
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Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
Current BiologyISSN
0960-9822Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Issue
22Volume
17Page range
1938-1942Department affiliated with
- Psychology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-09-05First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-09-05First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-09-04Usage metrics
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