Sperm whales may have taught each other how to avoid harpoons（鱼叉）when whalers began hunting them 200 years ago. A new study presents facts of social learning in the animals and offers a window into a form of whale culture.
The research focused on 19th century whaler diaries from the North Pacific,which recorded details of hunts, such as the number of whales found or harpooned on a given sailing. Studies show that ship strike rate fell by 58% in less than two and half years after the whalers first arrived in the region.
The researchers thought that the drop-off wasn't due to other factors, for example, whalers chose to target weak whales. Instead, they believed that Sperm whales, which have the largest brains of any animal on Earth and live in complex social structures, came to understand the danger and adapted to new escape strategies, such as swimming upwind of the wind-powered ships. This information was then shared, suggesting rapid social learning and real-time communication.
This study helps to highlight that whales and dolphins have culture and social learning,says Hodgins,a researcher at Whale & Dolphin Protection. "There's certainly an element of watch-and-learn in these animals, watching their parents' behavior and then mimicking it."
Whaling hasn't been allowed since the 1980s but tens of thousands of whales are still killed by humans every year. "Today,whales have to learn how to avoid boats and ship strikes," Hodgins says. "We know that whales and dolphins are incredibly intelligent and must have complex social lives. This meaningful research not only proves that this happens, but hopefully means we can in turn protect them better."



Why do sperm whales strike less often with ships？ ______

A. The whales can adopt new escape ways by social learning.
B. Effective measures have been taken to protect the whales.
C. The whales can keep away from ships' tracking devices.
D. Whalers have been changing their hunting targets.

What does the underlined word "mimicking" in paragraph 4 probably mean？ ______

A. Supporting.
B. Changing.
C. Copying.
D. Improving.

What is Hodgins' attitude to the research？ ______

A. Uncertain.
B. Positive.
C. Disapproving.
D. Uncaring.

What can be the best title for the text？ ______

A. The Number of Sperm Whales Is on the Increase
B. Whaling Business Is Driving Whales to Extinction
C. Sperm Whales Are Adapting to Changing Ocean Conditions
D. Smart Sperm Whales Can Teach Each Other to Survive Hunting