I study animal communication and the information content in highly social and cooperative species, particularly cooperative predators such as wolves and dolphins. The need to coordinate activities to solve difficult tasks gives an evolutionary advantage to those animals that are able to convey their intentions and activities to the partners. But despite this, no animal species apart from humans has ever evolved a true language. By studying the communication systems of intelligent and social animals, we can understand more not just about their ecology and conservation, but also about the evolution of our own language.

Author of: ['The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Why Animals Talk'][1]