June 18, 2018
Dolphin names, gangs & alliances
We know we have been very caught up in how wonderful the Humpbacks have been lately.
But we certainly haven’t forgotten our resident bottlenose Dolphins!
Research hot off the press from Western Australia, proves some of the observations and theories we have made about our special friends over the last 30 years while cruising on Jervis Bay.
Dolphins with names
We often name dolphins we see reguarly and are easy to identify, ‘Dallas’, ‘Casper’, ‘Kinta and Shark-bite’ are a few that quickly come to mind. This research suggests dolphins greet each other by individual vocal cues that “broadcast their idenity” developing their signature whistle in the first few months of life- compareable to human names!
Dolphin Gang Whistle
The same study discovered Dolphins form specific alliances and small pods often of 3-4 males have a group/gang signature whistle that unites them and indicates to other dolphins which group or gang they belong to. Allowing dolphins to recognise friends and rivals, it has also been revealed that dolphins have a “long term social memory” and are able to recall other pods group whistle for up to 20 years!
Synchronous Behaviour.
Facsinatingly, small pods of male dolphins were also observed to, peform synchronised displays of acvitity – something we have observed with this special visiting trio over the years.
Social Bonds
The make dolphins also spend alot of time making physical contact to establish social relationships this included:
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How interesting!
To read the article yourself,
If reading isn’t your thing, or perhaps you learn best by experiencing things for yourself come out on a Dolphin Cruise with us on Jervis Bay. We depart EVERY day!
