Wild Ways of Voting

When HONEYBEES need a new home, scout bees suggest a new site by dancing. Other bees in the hive show their support by dancing too. Once a majority, or more than half, of the bees supports the move, they all fly off together.

AFRICAN WILD DOGS seem to use sneezing to cast their votes. Before they begin a hunt, one dog will sneeze. If most of the other dogs sneeze in agreement, the entire pack sets out in search of prey. 

BABOONS in Kenya, a country in Africa, vote on where to scout for food. If two baboons want to go in different directions, the others in the troop move toward the leader they agree with. The leader with the most “votes” wins. 

MEERKATS also use a type of voting. They live in groups called mobs and communicate with yelping sounds known as calls. While looking for food, one meerkat may make a “move call.” If two or more others respond with the same call, those meerkats start moving to a new location. If the rest of the mob supports the decision, they follow the calling members to a new feeding spot.