New research shows young bottlenose dolphins ( Tursiops truncatus ) learn and develop through play, just like human children. Anyone who has a dog or a cat will know that they play, particularly when they are young. Play is an important way of testing and understanding the world about them. Problem solving skills Play also creates scenarios, and tests positions and possibilities. It develops prowess and agility. It rehearses action, and with different behavioural strategies and methods, individuals can develop a variety of problem-solving skills that can be applied across different contexts. It enhances stimulation and sensory experience, but above all, play is by its nature 'enjoyable'. Cultural learning Like humans, dolphins have big brains. Play is also vital for developing the complex neural circuitry of a dolphin's brain, a great deal of which will be forming after birth and in early life. Previous research suggests...
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