Meet the Most Social Animals Still Roaming the Planet Today

Animals across the planet can be unpredictable in their behavior and actions. Yet, there are many cases where animals have shown how social they can be. Creatures all over the planet have displayed emotions toward other animals and humans. Animals show social behaviors in different ways. They often behave in ways that would surprise people who study or interact with them. Some of these animals are dangerous, and others are relatively tame. Regardless, they have displayed extreme social behaviors in the wild and in domesticated settings. We are here to bring you the 15 most social animals still roaming the planet today, while explaining why they are strong communicators. Also, we will share some examples of their social behaviors.

15. Ants

The first animals to feature on this list are ants. Significantly, ants learn social behaviors from the very beginning of their lives. Ants live in a colonial system, which allows them to interact and work with members of their family to survive, according to a research paper published in the National Library of Medicine. They form a division of labor and work together to scavenge for food and other resources. Every ant has a role in the colony and must fulfill that job for the group to work efficiently. Moreover, some ants are assigned to gather food, while others care for the young. This form of teamwork makes ants among the most social animals still roaming the planet.

14. Killer Whales

One of the biggest animals in the world, the killer whale, has no natural predators. Additionally, they tend to frolic in groups. Killer whales are among the most social animals in the ocean and will swim together in pods. Likewise, they also enjoy jumping and diving in circles around each other. The size of the group can vary, depending on the orcas. For example, some orcas will travel in groups of five. Some pods can consist of up to 50 killer whales.

Killer whales also use underwater sounds to feed or communicate, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Amazingly, the NOAA also revealed that orcas use clicks and whistles to communicate with each other. They do this to keep themselves in sync with one another. Killer whales also coordinate to hunt prey. Ultimately, it is not uncommon to see them working with one another to hunt seals or any other fish they can catch. This makes them among the most social animals still roaming the planet and scouring the seas.

13. Coyotes

That howling you often hear in the distance is the social tactic that coyotes use to communicate with each other. Yes, coyotes often use this tactic to talk to one another while also signaling a possible animal to catch. Some people mistakenly believe coyotes are lone hunters. Yes, they do hunt alone for the most part. Coyotes will join groups to hunt animals if the situation arises, according to the National Park Service. Also, they know how to work with other animals to catch prey. Coyotes sometimes follow crows to find food. Other times, they work with badgers to hunt in a weird, unholy alliance.

Coyotes often use a barrage of sounds to communicate. Sometimes, it is a way to greet other coyotes or to signal an alarm. They also use it to display their presence to other coyotes in the group. Curiously, they look and sound like a mix between wolves and dogs. Their ability to vocalize what they want makes them one of the most sociable animals living on the planet.

12. Hippos

It is not surprising that hippos are among the most dangerous animals in the world. Yet, they are also incredibly social creatures when interacting with one another. They stick to their groups from the beginning of their lives. In fact, most hippos usually hang out in groups of 20 to 100, according to the African Wildlife Foundation.

The group usually includes a leader, a territorial bull hippo who watches over the group and forces challengers out. Despite their social order, the males will often engage in fierce battles to establish hierarchy. This social order also helps protect their territories against other predators. For example, hippos are more likely to stick together to ward off a pride of lions or crocodiles to prevent fatalities on their side. This social structure helps them survive. Therefore, hippos are definitely among the most social animals still roaming the planet.

11. Wildebeests

If you have ever watched any videos in Africa, you are probably familiar with wildebeests. Significantly, these animals always travel in groups. But they are also territorial with other wildebeest who are not part of their group. Therefore, you will often see clashes among territorial lines.

Wildebeests live in large groups. Ultimately, they do this by necessity as it helps protect them from predators such as lions and crocodiles. Wildebeest travel in groups that range from 10 to 1,000, according to the Audubon Nature Institute. They also use that group cohesiveness to travel thousands of miles together. Moreover, they do this while still protecting each other from predators. This teamwork makes them among the most social animals still roaming the planet.

10. Hyenas

The ultimate scavenger, the hyena, is rarely ever alone. Instead, they hang out in groups together to try and get any food they can acquire. Hyenas are among the most social animals in the world and continue to survive based on their abilities. Hyenas can adapt to any situation to make social decisions, according to a paper shared in the National Library of Medicine. Furthermore, spotted hyenas, in particular, have adapted scent behaviors. This allows them to create a system where they mark their specific territories.

Hyenas are among the best scavenger animals in the world. Thus, anytime there is a chance to grab some food from a nearby source, they will use any sounds to communicate and coordinate what they are going to do. Spotted hyenas also have incredible social memory. This allows them to remember members of their clan. This helps them remember members of their family whom they might not have seen in one to two years.

9. Penguins

They are probably among the cutest animals on this list. Yet, it would be unwise to ignore the amazing coordination of penguins. These creatures swim in groups and eat together, according to SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Penguins also dive together and eat in groups. However, there will always be certain situations where a solo penguin eats by itself. Penguins breed together in large colonies called rookeries. Amazingly, some of these rookeries will feature hundreds of penguins.

When penguins hang out on land, the group is referred to as a “colony.” Conversely, when they swim together in the water, they are collectively referred to as a “raft.” Penguins are, of course, one of the most social animals still roaming the planet today.

8. Otters

One of the few animals you might not expect on this list is the otter. Yes, the otter is a sociable creature. While adult male otters hang out alone or with other males, female otters form large groups with their young and old offspring, according to the San Diego Zoo. Larger otter groups come together during feeding time. Thus, it establishes communication between several groups that allows them to congregate. It also helps them survive as they hunt together. Thus, sea otters use their social skills to look for food. Otters spend a good portion of their days looking for food and utilize their communication skills to do so.

7. Bees

The buzzing sound you hear is the sound of bees establishing a rapport with one another. Ultimately, a majority of the bees are solitary animals. But nine percent of bees are social creatures. Moreover, these bees are incredibly social and use those skills to survive and thrive. Honeybees are an example of bees that live in large colonies, according to the Paleontological Research Institution. Additionally, these bees create swarms to create new nests. Other bees, like bumble bees, live in smaller colonies. Usually, a single female creates the colony and constructs the nest while laying eggs. Bees work together to create nests and hives in complete unison while also understanding each bee’s task. Ultimately, they work together to communicate what the hive needs, and it helps them survive.

6. Wolves

The best way to understand the wolf is to understand its sole behavior. Ultimately, you have probably heard of the term “wolf pack.” This term did not arise by chance. Instead, it defines the realistic behavior of wolves. Like other animals, wolves work in groups and form a hierarchy, with each wolf having an assigned role, according to an article submitted to the National Library of Medicine. They hunt in groups and also care for the young wolves in groups. Amazingly, their socialization patterns begin when they are four months old.

Cubs follow adults on hunting trips, learning teamwork at a very early age. This collaboration helps them develop motor and social skills as they grow, which is why they are included on this list. Cubs follow adults on hunting trips, learning how to work together as a team at a very early age. This collaboration helps them improve their motor skills and develop better social skills as they age. Ultimately, this trait helps them earn a spot on this list.

5. Chimpanzees

The most important thing to remember about chimpanzees is that they are genetically the closest animal to humans. Remember, humans are incredibly social creatures. They almost always need someone near them to stay emotionally upright. Similarly, chimpanzees possess these traits. Chimpanzees live and migrate in groups that range between 30 and 80 members, according to the Los Angeles Zoo. Like humans, they also tend to separate into smaller groups and congregate among one another. While many animals form groups solely for hunting and survival, chimpanzees also spend time together even when there is nothing to hunt and no predators to evade. Often, chimpanzees laugh together.

Chimpanzees also play games with one another to entertain themselves. Therefore, it is something that you rarely see in other animals. This also earns them a spot on this list as one of the most social animals still roaming the planet.

4. Elephants

It is amazing the social abilities that elephants possess. Amazingly, elephants have remarkable memories that allow them to remember details about people and other animals. There was an event in which a herd of elephants attended the funeral of a man who had saved one of their lives. Yes, they can mourn just like humans. Elephant herds can vary. Significantly, you might see two elephants traveling together. In other cases, you may see as many as 24 elephants traveling together. When there are more than ten elephants, they generally split into two separate groups, according to South African National Parks.

While an elephant is the largest animal on the planet, they still travel in groups for protection from any predators that might believe they can take them down. Thus, they use their large numbers as a shield, especially for younger members of the herd.

3. Dolphins

If you have ever been in the ocean, you might have encountered a pod of dolphins. Amazingly, these majestic creatures swim up and down the coast and have reportedly interacted with humans on their journeys. There have been instances where a pod of dolphins surrounded surfers in California, seemingly just to be near them.

Coastal bottlenose dolphin pods vary in size. Sometimes, you might see just two dolphins, while in other situations, as many as 15 may swim by, according to Sea World Parks & Entertainment. Significantly, they swim together to hunt prey and also protect themselves from any attacks from sharks. Dolphins also play with each other by swimming around one another. Additionally, they blow air rings for each other. Their level of play starts at a young age, and the playful behavior helps them interact with members of their pod. This behavioral skill makes them one of the most social animals still roaming the planet and covering our oceans.

2. Lions

The social structure of lions is established from birth. A pride usually consists of one or two male lions, multiple lionesses, and numerous cubs. Hence, this structure makes the lion one of the top social animals in the wild. Lions are the one animal that is well-known for actively hunting in groups. First, cubs learn how to hunt from adult lionesses at a young age. While male lions can hunt, they use their skills to protect their pride instead. Sometimes, male lions work with the lionesses in the pride to hunt and take down larger animals. But lionesses do most of the hunting, and they achieve this by working in a cohesive group.

The bond between lionesses grows through each day, each hunt, and each moment they spend together. Even male lions form bonds with the lionesses when they are not protecting the pride. Lions learn their social behaviors at an early age. Curiously, cubs wrestle with one another to establish bonds and gain strength. When cubs mature, they leave their pride and look for another pride to join or take over. If successful, they mate with the lionesses and form their own pride. Lions will always need each other as their social behaviors prevent them from truly becoming solitary animals. Subsequently, it is what earned them one of the top two spots on this list.

1. Dogs

The most social animals on the planet are dogs. You know them and love them. Ultimately, dogs are the most social animals because of their ability to interact with other dogs, other animals, and humans. Dog behavior depends on numerous factors, according to NI Direct Government Services. Moreover, factors such as breed and type can affect how a dog acts. But in general, dogs are playful animals. They also need social interaction, similar to humans, to avoid becoming distressed or introverted. When people take their dogs for walks, it is to get them exercise and also acclimate them to other dogs.

Dogs have a complex relationship with cats, yet there are countless examples of dogs coexisting and playing with them. This adaptability, especially with animals often seen as natural enemies, is a remarkable trait not commonly found in other species. Dogs made this list especially because of their relationships with humans. It may take a little while for a dog to stop seeing a human as a threat. But dogs eventually see humans as friends and can read human body language. While wild dogs can be dangerous to humans, there have been examples of them showing kindness to people.

Wild dogs that are not domesticated display an amazing ability to work together. Similar to wolves and coyotes, they can communicate with one another through barks, howls, and growls. This distinct feature, along with all their other traits, makes them the most social animals living on the planet today.