Despite our vastly different environments, people are drawn to dolphins—swimming with them and learning about them.
This connection may stem from our many similarities.
Dolphins, like humans, have large brains relative to their body size and form social groups with strong, lasting bonds. They are known for their cooperative behaviors and ability to work together as a team. To better understand why dolphins behave the way they do, we consulted experts and researched the latest insights. Read on to uncover the fascinating reasons behind their actions.
1. Dolphins Likely Call Each Other by Name
Dolphins are known to have signature whistles, unique sounds each individual creates to identify itself. These whistles are distinct from one another, and other dolphins can recognize and respond to them. Research from Laela Sayigh, a dolphin communication specialist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, shows that when wild bottle-nose dolphins hear a whistle from a close companion, they are more likely to respond.
These signature whistles begin to form around six months of age, and interestingly, dolphins can also mimic each other’s whistles to communicate or get the attention of a specific individual.
Since dolphins live in large, interconnected groups, the ability to recognize individuals is key to maintaining long-term social relationships. Research suggests that dolphins can even remember a former companion's signature whistle decades after their last encounter.
2. Dolphins Have Unique Personalities
Dolphins, like humans, display a range of personalities. Bolder individuals tend to play more central roles in their social groups, forming stronger relationships compared to their more introverted counterparts. Additionally, a study on wild bottle-nose dolphins revealed that these personality traits remain stable throughout a dolphin's life.
Whether introverted or extroverted, dolphins retain these traits from infancy to adulthood. This consistent behavior helps dolphins navigate their complex social structures by understanding how different personalities interact and form relationships.
3. Dolphins Communicate Through Touch
Dolphins rely on more than just sounds to communicate. They don’t produce vocalizations through their mouths, but rather through their blowholes using interconnected air sacs. Interestingly, dolphins don’t rely on their ears to hear underwater. Instead, they hear through vibrations in their jawbones, which transmit information to their brains.
4. Dolphins Use Tools
Dolphins are not just intelligent—they are innovative problem-solvers, using tools to help them in their natural environment. One remarkable example of dolphin tool use comes from a group of dolphins in Australia that practice sponging. These dolphins wear sea sponges on their beaks to protect themselves while foraging for food on the seafloor.
In another example of tool use, dolphins have been observed using sea snail shells to trap prey. They insert their beaks into the opening of the shell, then lift it above the water to shake out the contents, displaying both creativity and resourcefulness.
These behaviors are proof that dolphins have the ability to innovate and adapt in ways that are often unique to individuals within a group, showcasing their impressive intelligence and problem-solving skills.
5. Dolphins Team Up with Humans
Dolphins around the world have learned to work with humans, particularly in fishing activities. In regions like Spain and Italy, dolphins swim around fish farms, helping to herd fish that gather near floating mussel or shellfish rafts.
They also collaborate with each other to steal fish from nets, and seem to prefer associating with other dolphins who use similar feeding techniques. These social learning behaviors allow dolphins to share successful strategies with their companions.
The dolphins dive to signal where the fish are, helping humans know where to cast their nets. Once the nets are cast, the dolphins take advantage of the disoriented fish that manage to escape, benefiting from the catch as well.
5 Interesting Dolphin Facts!
Video by Learning Whale Publishing
