Dolphin Communication

Decoding and Deciphering Dolphin Sounds

For years we have known that dolphins have complex sounds and behavior. WDP has a vast database of underwater sounds and behaviors, which have been collected over the past 33 years for this free-ranging community of dolphins. Two initiatives are currently underway with a team at Georgia Institute of Technology.  The first is to apply a variety of Machine Learning algorithms to discover patterns in the dolphins sounds. The second is to utilize and underwater computer interface to explore two-way communication  between the dolphins and researchers.

 

Wild Dolphin Project: Program in Bahamas (1985 – present)

The Wild Dolphin Project is the longest underwater dolphin study in the world. Since 1985, WDP has been tracking and observing resident communities of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) and Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Bahamas.

Age Classes – Atlantic spotted dolphins gain spots with age, making their age classes easy to identify.  Calves are born without spots and gain spots into adulthood.  Spotted dolphins can live to around 50 years of age.

Mother/Calf Behavior – Unique to the Bahamas is the ability to observe regular underwater behavior.  Here a mother encourages a young calf to forage on bottom fish.

Head to Head Behavior – Like other social mammals, dolphins need to resolve conflicts.  A large group of adults goes head to head in an underwater fight, which includes arched body postures, open mouths, and squawking vocalizations.

Dolphin Sounds

Dolphins make three general types of sounds: Whistles, clicks, and burst pulsed sounds.

Whistles are primarily used for long distance communication and as contact calls between mothers and calves when they are separated.

Click here to hear a whistle.

Clicks are primarily used for orientation and navigation.  Clicks usually contain ultrasonic information above human hearing.

Click here to hear a click.

Burst Pulses are packets of clicks spaced tightly together.  These sounds are used during close proximity social behavior such as fighting.

Click here to hear a burst pulse.

Did you Know

Spotted dolphin calves are unspotted and look like young bottlenose dolphins.

Spotted dolphins regurgitate hard, indigestible parts of their food, such as squid beaks and fish vertebrae.

As spotted dolphins grow up they learn how to behave from their mothers and also from siblings, peers, and elders in the society.

Juvenile spotted dolphins babysit younger spotteds.

As a spotted dolphin grows up, its role and responsibilities in the dolphin community change Sometimes spotted dolphins travel, forage for food, and socialize with bottlenose dolphins.

 

Atlantic spotted dolphins are relatively unstudied, compared to their pan-tropical cousins who have been slaughtered in the tuna nets.

Spotted dolphins use their signature whistles in many different ways, including initiating contact with other dolphins.

Spotted dolphins can be identified over long periods of time by spot patterns, by flukes, and by dorsal fins.

For further learning, visit the Dolphin Communication, Dolphin Videos, Scientific Publications pages and watch our latest documentary from PBS’s Changing Seas series, Dolphins: Breaking The Code” and Dr. Herzing’s TED Talk.

Education

Dolphin Word Search Puzzle
Answer the questions and search for their answers in the word search puzzle.

Dolphin Food Pyramid
Match the names of the prey to their pictures in the Dolphin Food Pyramid.

Dolphin Picture
Label the parts of the dolphin and color! Think of other animals that share the ocean with the dolphins, like predators and prey, and draw them in. Are there researchers in your picture?

Interested in Careers in Marine Mammal Science?
Visit the Society for Marine Mammalogy Careers page for more information.

To report a marine mammal stranding please call 1-888-404-FWCC

Disclosure Statement

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352). Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com (CH3673)

Copyright © 2011 - 2024. The Wild Dolphin Project. All Rights Reserved.