Curiosity Corner: If animals can’t talk, how do they share secrets?

Animals do not have the ability to talk in words, but that doesn’t mean that they live in a quiet world. Animals warn each other of danger, mate, and mark territory, all while communicating information that human beings are still learning to understand. Animals communicate in what seems to us to be simple sounds and acts, but what they are conveying has a rich meaning. Learning to see the secrets animals share gives us a glimpse behind the veil of the world of nature. Communication doesn't have to involve words.

Body language: silent signals with clear messages

Many animals depend on body language to convey messages. For instance, in dogs, their tail wagging, in cats, their arched body, and in birds, their plumped feathers convey different messages. Animals use this language since it is instantaneous and visible, and animals communicate without making noise, which is beneficial in their concealment from predators or prey. To animals, these body language gestures mean as much as any sentence that is voiced.

Sounds which are more significant than noise

Even though animals do not speak like humans, many of them use sound to transmit complex information. Many birds will use a variety of sounds to define territory, to send an alert for danger, or to attract a mate. Dolphins click and whistle to distinguish one another from one another, much like we have names. Even insects such as crickets and bees will use sound for a purpose, just to attract a mate, to warn off predators, among others.

Scents and smells as coded messages
The sense of smell is one of the most potent forms of communication in the natural world. Many creatures emit messages through chemical trails called pheromones. Ants mark paths to follow back to food sources with scent trails, while other animals, such as dogs, are able to detect individuals through the sense of smell alone. The invisible communication can linger long after the organism has passed through.

Touch and physical interaction

Some species have touch-based forms of communication, which are typically found in close-knit societal relations. Chimpanzees groom each other as a way of building relations. Elephants have a trunk that helps in consoling, guiding, or reassuring each other. Touch message formats are typically associated with emotive aspects such as caregiving, comfort, or belonging. They are considered essential “secrets” within societal animals.

Colour changes and visual patterns

Certain animals use colour as a form of communication. Chameleons change colour to express mood or signal danger. Octopuses display shifting patterns to confuse predators or communicate with others. These visual signals can change instantly, allowing animals to react quickly to their environment. What looks like camouflage or beauty to humans often carries hidden messages meant only for those who understand the code.



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