Do elephants have culture?

Investigating African Savannah elephants, their social learning and behavioural traditions.

Culture is a defining characteristic of humans and is reflected in many aspects of our behaviour. The way we speak or greet others, our fashion, even our hobbies, give other people cues about the social group we identify with, and we learn these traits by observing and copying the people around us – our culture is acquired socially.

We now know that many animal species also learn certain traits by watching and copying others in their group. This social learning can establish behavioural traditions that allow behaviour to be passed between and within generations.

We are investigating if African savannah elephants – large-brained, social mammals that are like us in so many ways – also exhibit cultural traditions. Do they learn from watching others, and then spread this behaviour further?

To answer this, we are surveying experienced ethologists to compare the repertoire of social behaviour observed in elephant populations at 11 study-sites from east and southern Africa. Traits that are present in some elephant populations but absent in others are potential evidence of elephant culture, and will indicate where future efforts should be concentrated.

Benefits of the research

The study of culture cuts across disciplines, incorporating animal behaviour, anthropology, conservation biology and social psychology, and contributes to our understanding of group processes and the functioning of societies. By understanding if, how, and what elephants learn from each other, we can expand our knowledge of the evolution and use of culture.

Written by: Dr Lucy Bates