Killer Whales Share Personality Traits with Chimpanzees and Humans!

We’ve heard it before–chimpanzees are mammals that share about 98% DNA with humans but did you know we also shared personality traits? A recent study published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology found that killer whales are in that mix too, however, orcas have more traits in common with chimpanzees than humans.

The study used a common personality measure called the five-factor model, which assesses five personality dimensions, including extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, dominance and carefulness. The model, which was developed in the 1930s, describes personality traits using a combination of single adjectives or descriptive phrases.

Researchers found that the personality traits of killer whales were similar to those of both humans and chimpanzees but more similar to chimpanzees. Killer whales were similar to chimpanzees and humans for the extraversion factor (e.g., playful, gregarious and sociable). Killer whales and chimpanzees also shared a combination of personality traits for conscientiousness (e.g., constant, stubborn and protective) and agreeableness (e.g., patient, peaceable and not bullying), along with some personality traits relating to dominance.

Lead researcher Yulán Úbeda, a doctoral student in psychology at the University of Girona in Spain said : “This is the first study to examine the personality traits of killer whales and how they relate to us and other primates”. The findings propose some evolutionary convergence where primates and whales are clustered similarly due to their ability to communicate in complex situations using their advanced cognitive abilities.

Other behaviours observed in killer whales which are similar to humans, include mourning the loss of loved ones.For instance, killer whales are known to live to an old age (up to 90 years), in close-knitted pods that hunt, eat and live together. This cohabitation and interdependence requires extensive communication and group cooperation. In 2017, an article in National Geographic reported an “unprecedented show of mourning that drew international attention”, where an orca named J35 had dropped her dead calf after pushing it with members of her pod for 17 days and at least 1000 miles to the coast of Vancouver Island. These actions that require advance communication, cognitive and collaborative skills between animals have prompted the minds of scientists into studying their personality traits.

Even though researchers debate whether the behaviours observed were a sign of grief or something unknown, the act of keeping dead newborns afloat have been previously seen in other delphinid species. As killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin family, this occurrence is deemed unique but not unprecedented, although more studies on grief in animals need to be done before determining how animals in tight-knit groups mourn the loss of their loved ones or group members.

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References:

"Personality in Captive Killer Whales (Orcinus orca): A Rating Approach Based on the Five-Factor Model," Journal of Comparative Psychology , published online Nov. 15, 2018.