Get Smart
The other argument, that dolphins behaviorally aren’t as impressive as has been claimed, is made by Gregg. A professional dolphin researcher (and voice-over actor for animated films), Gregg says he respects dolphin “accomplishments” in cognition research but feels the public and certain researchers have elevated them to a level of cognition beyond what the data suggests, and that other animals display many equally impressive traits.
In his book, Gregg cites experts who call into doubt the value of the mirror-self-recognition test, an exercise thought to indicate some degree of self-consciousness. Gregg notes that octopuses and pigeons can learn to behave similarly to dolphins when given a mirror.
In addition, Gregg argues that communication has been especially oversold in dolphins. While certainly their whistles and clicks are a complicated form of audio signaling, he cautions that they show none of the hallmarks of human language (such as encompassing limitless concepts or freedom from emotion).
He also mentions attempts to apply information theory – a branch of mathematics – to the information contained in dolphin whistles, citing others who question whether information theory is even appropriate for animal communication.
Gregg emphasizes that dolphins certainly display many impressive cognitive abilities – but that many other animals do as well. However his animals of choice aren’t altogether flattering: in the first chapter he insinuates that by many metrics chickens are as cognitively capable as dolphins. And later, conceding that dolphins can understand television screens, he writes: “Jumping spiders, with their eight eyes and brains so big for their body size that they spill over into their legs, seem equally as skilled.”