Co-cultures: exploring interspecies culture among humans and other animals.

Animals interact both within and between species, sharing common spaces. Animals exhibit cultural behaviours. Animals can influence and learn from each other, including interactions with other species. The co-culture concept suggests that two populations of different species can influence each other's cultures through synchronised activities. Co-culture emphasises cultural adaptations within ecological niches. The concept of 'co-culture' is introduced as a novel framework for understanding the mutual cultural evolution between animal species, including, but not only, humans. It explores the dynamics of interspecies interactions, particularly in how different species influence each other's behavioural and cognitive adaptations. Various instances of interspecies cultural exchange are highlighted, such as the acquisition of medicinal plants from animals resulting in a shared medicinal culture, adaptive behaviours of urban wildlife, and cooperative behaviours between animal species. Co-culture challenges the notion of species-specific culture, underscoring the complexity and interconnectedness of human and animal societies, and between animal societies. Further research into co-culture is advocating and emphasising its implications for conservation, urban planning, and a deeper understanding of animal cognition and behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]