Strength in Numbers From flocks of birds to schools of fish nature is full of animal groups Groups can be small with two or three members Or they may be much bigger with as many as a million members A Dolphin by Any Other Name Some kinds of dolphins seem to have personal names Individuals use and reply to a special whistle This whistle was created by the dolphin as a calf 4
Some groups endure for a long time A female elephant lives with her family her whole life which might last more than 30 years Other gatherings last for a season or even a few hours 5
Coyotes Coyotes can live either in groups or alone Coyotes living in packs protect their family’s land but loners do not Lone coyotes may someday settle down with a mate Groups make life easier for their members Groups can help each other find food or escape predators Group members may cooperate or work together to raise their young They might teach each other new tricks to survive changes in their environment 6
Living in groups isn’t for everyone Animals are surrounded by hungry mouths They must compete for food Gathering together is not always safer A large group is easier for predators to find than a single animal Some animals spend almost their entire lives alone finding others only to breed Although male polar bears spend much of their lives alone they will sometimes gather and even play together 7
