Animal Culture

Animal culture refers to the ways in which groups of animals share learned behaviors, traditions, and customs that are passed down through generations, similar to human culture. These behaviors can include using tools, specific foraging techniques, communication styles, or social bonding rituals. Unlike instinct, which is innate, animal culture arises from social learning within a group. Examples include chimpanzees crafting tools or dolphins developing unique hunting methods. Recognizing animal culture highlights their social complexity and ability to transmit knowledge, emphasizing that many animals have distinct, community-specific behaviors that shape their lives and interactions.