New research suggests that the “jump-yip display” used by these black-tailed prairie dogs – a behaviour which spreads through the colony like sports fans doing ‘the wave’ – is a way of checking up on how well their neighbours are watching out for danger. (Credit: Darlene Stack)
When one prairie dog in a colony does a “jump-yip” display, the rest respond contagiously, like sports fans doing ‘the wave.’ However the purpose of this behaviour has been debated. New research shows that prairie dogs that start the wave adjust their behaviour based on how many responses they get and how delayed those responses are. This suggests the display is a way of gauging how well their neighbours are watching out for danger.
Original research article published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences on January 7, 2014
Names and affiliations of selected authors:
James F. Hare, University of Manitoba
