8 Answers

0 like 0 dislike
by Apprentice (1.7k points)
selected by
 
Best answer

This is pacrially true, while in the npr article, it sates "New research finds that bottlenose dolphins call the "names of loved ones when they become separated" (Peralta). The article discusses research done by  Stephanie King of the University of St., King had done research that led to her findings that dolphins respond to individual names. The npr article suggests that dolphins are actively calling each other by name, but in the research done by King it's saying that bottlenose dolphins have a unique whistle that is the name-calling. The claim is partially true here. 

https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/dolphins-respond-to-individual-names/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/130722-dolphins-whistle-names-identity-animals-science

by Innovator (50.9k points)
0 0
Good work distinguishing that not all dolphins are included in this claim. Thanks!
2 like 0 dislike
by Novice (890 points)

This is True, while dolphins cannot call each other names in the same ways us humans do they have a similar practice. It has been discovered that Dolphins use certain unique whistles to identify each other. This information was covered greatly when it was discover in 2013. 

NBC News

BBC News

National Geographic

as well as a 2020 paper published on the topic

by (160 points)
0 0
Some researchers argue that dolphins might be using these whistles to indicate social bonding or even cooperation, rather than purely identifying individuals. The nuance here is important since it suggests dolphin communication is possibly even richer than just calling out "names"—they might be conveying social dynamics.
0 like 0 dislike
by Apprentice (1.2k points)

The NPR article "Researchers Find That Dolphins Call Each Other By 'Name'" written by Eyder Peralta claims that dolphins can call to each other by whistling the other dolphin's name. The article calls back to a previous discovery that dolphins name themselves by making a unique whistle. The author quotes Discovery News, which says when dolphins are separated, they will mimic the signature whistle of the individual they are seeking out. The author also mentions a report made by Wired Magazine which states that when tested, captured dolphins when separated would copy each other's whistles. The NPR article already cites other reputable news sources, and after doing a quick search I found that BBC News wrote about this same discovery a few months later. I believe this claim is legitimate because the information in the article is backed by a reputable research group, and by other news outlets.

True
0 like 0 dislike
by Novice (920 points)

Although as crazy as it is to say this, this claim is true. Even though Dolphins do have a different form of communication than humans, they still have the ability to give each other different whistles that act as titles, which act as names as we view them. Dolphins use these unique whistles to not only communicate with one another but also to talk about other dolphins and even convey a possible social structure amongst the dolphins, displaying just how integral these whistles might be for their communication. If this information was not highly covered by reputable sources, I would assume it was fake or at least exaggerated, but multiple sources, including the linked NPR article all the way to National Geographic, all corroborate this information. 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/130722-dolphins-whistle-names-identity-animals-science

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/all/dolphins-call-each-other-name-flna1c8451952

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23410137#:~:text=Media%20caption%2C,%22name%22%20has%20been%20studied.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17936137/

True
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (340 points)

This claim is true. The NPR article references research done by Discovery News. Lead researcher Stephanie King and colleagues gathered data from wild dolphins between 1984 and 2009. They found that dolphins use a unique name-call when they want to reunite with that specific dolphin. Further research done with captive dolphins found that the dolphins communicated using unique individual calls when unable to see each other and in separate nets. I found that sources including National Geographic and NBC News support and promote this specific research. The claim that dolphins call each other by name is well supported and effectively proven by the studies conducted.

True
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (300 points)

I believe this claim to be true. Although dolphins cannot form words like us humans can, they use different types of whistles that act as titles, or what we know as names. Stephanie King, lead author of the University of St. Andrews Sea Mammal Research Unit told Discovery News that, "animals produced copies when they were separated from a close associate and this supports our belief that dolphins copy another animal's signature whistle when they want to reunite with that specific individual." King also said that, "During the captures, the dolphins can't see each other, but can hear each other and continue to communicate." Therefore I believe the claim to be true, that dolphins can call each other by 'name.'

True
0 like 0 dislike
by Novice (980 points)
The claim that dolphins call each other by name is true.

I found the study that is cited in the article - https://news.st-andrews.ac.uk/archive/dolphins-respond-to-individual-names/ ,  and it states that the dolphins only reacted when they heard a recording of their signature whistle and not others, proving that this claim is true.

The National Geographic has also written about dolphins having names  - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/130722-dolphins-whistle-names-identity-animals-science

The headline might be seen as misleading by some because audience members could potentially read it and think that dolphins are speaking to each other as humans do. The use of quotation marks saves this from being considered misleading, in my opinion.
True
0 like 0 dislike
by Newbie (300 points)
This article covers a new discovery that dolphins call each other by name. Scientists discovered this by studying the sounds dolphins make, specifically when they are separated from their loved ones. They make specific sounds that we have come to recognize as names.

https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/us/dolphin-names/index.html
True

Community Rules


Be respectful.

There is bound to be disagreement on a site about misinformation. Assume best intentions on everyone's part.

If you are new to factchecking, take some time to learn about it. "How to Factcheck" has some resources for getting started. Even if you disagree with these materials, they'll help you understand the language of this community better.

News Detective is for uncovering misinformation and rumors. This is not a general interest question-answer site for things someone could Google.

Posting

The title is the "main claim" that you're trying to factcheck.

Example:
Factcheck This: Birds don't exist

If possible, LINK TO to the place you saw the claim.

Answering

LINK TO YOUR EVIDENCE or otherwise explain the source ("I called this person, I found it in this book, etc.")

But don't just drop a link. Give an explanation, copy and paste the relevant information, etc.

News Detective is not responsible for anything anyone posts on the platform.
...