Animals create own cultural traditions like humans, scientist says

Psychologist says people can no longer consider themselves unique in learning traits from others

Matriarch elephants are a source of knowledge for their young, Prof Whiten points out (Getty Images)

Animals may create and maintain their own cultures just like humans, a scientist has concluded.

Andrew Whiten, who reviewed decades of research in the field, is challenging the idea that only humans have culture, separating us from animals.

He says there is growing evidence of culture spanning a variety of mammals, birds, fish and insects.