![]() ![]() However, when close to each other, body language may play a role in dolphin communication. There is often silt and other particles floating in the water column that can make it difficult for dolphins to communicate visually over long distances. Aggressive confrontation can produce buzzing click-trains.ĭolphins do not generally rely on visual communication, although they have excellent eyesight both above and below the water’s surface. When under duress, dolphins emit pulsed squeaks. Courtship behavior can yield pulsed yelps. Preliminary research seems to support this idea although details of the exact reason for imitation are still under investigation.ĭolphins may use other sounds besides whistles to communicate. One reason for imitating another dolphin's whistle may be to get its attention within a large group. An increase in the number of dolphins nearby also provides safety for all individuals, as sharks and other large predators are likely to want to feed from the same food source the dolphins have discovered.ĭolphins are capable of imitating certain sounds very accurately and often learn other dolphins' whistles. This increase in vocalizations attracts more dolphins to the area that can assist with rounding up the fish, allowing all individuals to get a larger meal. ![]() Scientists believe that as a group of dolphins finds a school of potential prey they will vocalize more frequently. In this case, the whistling may help the dolphins keep track of each other.īottlenose dolphins also seem to whistle while foraging on various prey items (Acevedo-Guiterrez 2004). Sometimes, many dolphins in the group whistle at once, repeating their signature whistles over and over. Dolphins also whistle when separated from other group members.ĭolphins do not always respond immediately to another dolphin whistling. If they become separated, a young calf and its mother whistle frequently until reunited. Dolphins often respond to another dolphin’s whistle by whistling themselves or moving toward the whistler. Whistles may serve to establish or maintain vocal or physical contact between dolphins. Dolphins in distress sometimes emit their signature whistles very loudly. ![]() It may let the rest of the pod know which pod members are around, where they are, and, perhaps, something about their mental state. This whistle appears to serve as a means of individual identification, much like a name. Scientists believe that every bottlenose dolphin develops a distinctive high-pitched whistle, called a signature whistle (Tyack, 2000). For this reason dolphins rely on sound for communication more than any other mode. Sound travels 4.5 – 5 times faster through water than through the air. There is still much to learn about how dolphins communicate though a number of generalities have emerged from research. Pods of dolphins coordinate their movements to herd prey, and then take turns swimming into the middle of the assembled fish to eat. ![]() A dolphin maintains an intricate social network that includes a few close associates (such as mothers and calves or pair-bonded males), plus more casual relationships with others who come and go within a larger group. Communication in bottlenose dolphins appears to be extensive and complex. ![]()
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