18.12.2018 – Together

Dolphins like to be together, infact the term social is the most frequently used description for these charismatic creatures. The complex social bonds within dolphin communities are often reflected in the group dynamic and surface behaviour of the animals.

Synchronized leaps for instance, are a very fascinating form of social behaviour that shed light on the relationships amongst the animals of the pod. Generally, synchronous behaviour results from behavioural mimicry. One animal acts as the demonstrator, while the others imitate its actions. Some evidence suggests that dolphins communicate amongst themselves prior to this behaviour to organize themselves and that lighter areas on the edges of their flippers and fins act as reference points for coordination during the activity. Witnessing such smulataneous leaps within a large group of travelling dolphins is incredible and especially common in highly pelagic species such as the Striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Infact, one of the features that helps us identify this species at sea is their synchronous group behaviour, which we also had the pleasure of witnessing this morning.

Very often it’s just pairs of dolphins that perform such synchronized behaviour and this is especially true for mothers and calves. Calves generally remain very close to their mothers during and after their lactation period, observing their mothers actions and carefully imitating them. One of the most important skills learnt at their mother’s side is regularly surfacing to breathe. As voluntary breathers, dolphins need to condition themselves to breathe at healthy, regular intervals and this is best practiced during the synchronized swimming alongside their mothers. During both our trips, our spotter guided to a group of Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) which consisted of several females and their young calves. It’s likely that we encountered the same group on both occasions, given that on both trips the Bottlenose mothers seemed less linient than usual and allowed their calves to approach our boat by themselves and do some bowriding. Every mother knows; one day their little ones will have to make their own independent choices and fend for themselves. The sooner they find confidence in doing so, the better.

By Paula Thake

Sightings of the day

Ribeira Brava

14:30 Bottlenose dolphins

Stenella

10:00 Bottlenose dolphins, Striped dolphins