Quiet cotton top tamarins

Ever wish that mobile phone conversations were prohibited on public transportation? Turns out cotton top tamarins are sensitive to environmental noise as well. A study published in the journal Zoo Biology in mid-September from the City University of New York found that their warning call drops to a whisper whenever humans get near, suggesting the animals are sensitive to other individuals overhearing. If only other humans were so considerate. (Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty)

Ridesharing dolphins

Taking public transport on holiday is a great way to conserve energy and be social. But humans are not the only ones that take advantage of another traveller’s itinerary. Dolphins often use their mother's wake to swim faster and more easily through open water. “They also commonly slip stream with ships, catching a ride mainly for the fun of it”, said Jay Petersen, curator of primates and carnivores for the Chicago Zoological Society. (David McNew/Getty)

Traffic-savvy packs

Remember when your parents told you to look both ways before crossing the road? With coyote populations rising in urban areas, Heany pointed out that many packs now look both ways before crossing the street as a way to survive in busy communities. While this is an example of animals mimicking human travel patterns, it also shows how global species are moving closer together in the way we move. (Justin Sullivan/Getty)



What can animals teach us about travel?







•elephants

Itinerant orangutans
We humans like to think that the act of travel is our creation, born from the booking engines, high speed trains and luxury resorts that we built. But the truth is, our animal cousins have been seeking warm weather in the winter, playing in the surf and ridesharing for years.
Research published by the Public Library of Science in mid-September shows that male orangutans plan their trips in advance and even share their itineraries with other members of their community. By shouting in the direction they plan to go a day prior to departure, they warn less-dominant males to keep clear while attracting potential female mates. It's kind of like posting: "Seattle, I'm stopping by tomorrow night – who wants to get drinks?" on your Facebook wall. (Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP/Getty)