Do animals communicate? If yes, how do they do it? Scroll down to learn how animals communicate without any language.
Man is the most intelligent animal created by God because, God has given him the language which other animals do not have. That is why man is also called as the social animal. Communication makes life extremely convenient and easier. Language plays a very important role in life as any emotion can be easily and effectively conveyed through language to whomsoever we want to convey. But, all this is applicable and beneficial only to human beings. What about animals? How do they communicate with each other? Do they have an animal language as such? Pearce (1987) finds a definition of animal communication by Slater (1983) which says, "Animal Communication is the transmission of a signal from one animal to another such that the sender benefits, on average, from the response of the recipient." Through this definition, communication can be applicable to a wide range of animals and involves various types of animal behavior leading to communication.
Types of Animal Communication
We all know that animals do not have the ability to use language as the medium of their communication. But, they do have other abilities of conveying messages to other animals amongst which use of body language is the most important factor. The messages can be of many types like conveying food location, calling for mating rituals, danger alarms, appreciation of good deeds like helping other animals in dangerous situations, etc. There are different types of animal communication, which will be looked at in this segment. Different species use different types of communication. There are two main types of communication in animals and consists of a few subtypes under them.
Verbal Communication
Sounds are one of the most common types of verbal communication in animals and the majority of the species use them as the medium to convey messages. Bats usually follow sound waves to communicate. They mostly rest in the morning and become active at night to search for food and do other tasks. All the birds communicate through their chirping and it is ultrasound waves that they use. Mammals, generally, make use of sounds to give calls to other members of their community. The smaller animals squeak and larger ones rumble. It is found out through studies that, an animal with the smaller head can produce really large sounds and also receive a greater frequency of sound! Whales are the perfect users of sound waves. They have a whale song, which they repeat after regular intervals.
Non-Verbal Communication
Facial Expressions
This kind of communication is mostly found in dogs. When they are angry, they show their teeth snarling and raise their ears. On the other hand, when they are frightened, they pull their ears behind with the mouth open. In birds also, when the parent bird brings food for the offspring, the 'begging expression' can be observed on its face.
Gestures and Body Movements
This type of communication is common not only in animals, but in human beings too. All human beings, although use language for communication, tend to use gestures and body movements while communicating. Honey bees are the most enthusiastic creatures on the earth because they dance to communicate. Some bees dance in the hive so that other bees get signals of the location of the honey comb. Isn't it an interesting and unique way of communication? A deer waves its tail to alarm others of some danger coming closer. Gorillas stick their tongue out to express anger.
Smell and Signaling
Many animals communicate with each other through smell. They all release pheromones (airborne chemicals) to convey messages to other animals. Wolves, deer and insects generally, use this type of communication. Even amoeba needs to communicate and does it by chemical discharge. The animals use this type of communication to attract others for reproduction. Hence, communication is so important that it is useful in the process of reproduction. There are various types of signals like 'acoustic signals', a kind of sound signal mostly found in vervet monkeys. They have an actual language containing three words; snake, eagle and leopard. Each sound makes the vervets aware about the specific threat, for instance, the sound 'eagle' warns them about the fast-flying threat. Another signal type is electric signals, which is common to aquatic animals like sharks and some other fish. These animals have electroreceptors to identify objects and dangers. They are useful because they are confined to the aquatic environment.
Touch
Animals like chimpanzees touch each others' hands to express feelings. A newcomer puts its hand in the mouth of the head monkey to confirm its entry in their community and then the process is reversed. The head monkey gives the visitor the assurance of safety and goodwill. They even give hugs and kisses to express love. Cats snuggle (embrace for long) to show affection.
Isn't it amazing to know the various communicative modes used by animals without using apparent words? On a concluding note, I would like to say that every creature on this earth needs communication to fulfill its social, physical and mental needs and it has been allotted, if not language, other convenient techniques to communicate with each other.
