Dolphins have names

New research from the University of Western Australia has found male dolphins possess a very human-like quality – they use individual names to identify their friends and foes.

WA's Shark Bay dolphins can identify each other by unique calls similar to how humans use names. Source: Supplied: University of Western Australia

For decades, the tale of a talking dolphin named 'Flipper' captured the imagination of children around the world.

New research shows the fantasy could be closer to reality than previously thought.

A study out of the University of Western Australia has found male dolphins talk to each other using individual names - just as humans do.