Animal Cultures – coming soon
Researchers from the School of Biology, Dr Luke Rendell, Dr Christian Rutz, and Prof Kevin Laland are collaborating with researchers from the School of Psychology, and School of Biology information designer Steve Smart on a large exhibit which will be shown at Edinburgh Zoo, and later in the year at The BBSRC Great British Science Festival in London.
The theme of the exhibit is ‘Animal Cultures’.
Award winning science communicator Prof Andy Whiten explains:
It’s easy to think of human culture as uniquely isolating us from nature and basic evolutionary processes. Our research has instead revealed cultural processes of varying complexity in primates, birds and fish.
Our discoveries highlight a potent new ‘second inheritance system’ in animals, illuminate human cultural evolution, and have further implications for welfare and conservation.
The exhibit will highlight eight diverse examples of ‘animal cultures’, and include a varied selection of mechanical and electronic interactives.
You can find out more about the exhibit on the Animal Cultures exhibit website.