Dolpin (11) Flashcards
(30 cards)
What are signature whistles in bottlenose dolphins?
Unique sounds created by each individual bottlenose. Other dolphins can listen to these whistles so they can identify each other!
At what age do dolphins typically develop their signature whistles?
About six months of age.
What did researchers find about dolphin responses to whistles?
Wild bottlenose dolphins were more likely to respond to whistles from individuals they were close to.
- How do closely bonded adult male dolphin pairs’ signature whistles change over time?
- What does this signify?
- Their signature whistles become more and more similar over time.
- This may signify their close relationship.
How did Díaz López’s research team measure differences in dolphin behavior?
By observing responses to new items and situations, such as approaching humans or sounds.
What continuum did researchers classify individual bottlenose dolphins on?
A continuum of boldness to shyness.
- What role do bolder dolphins have in the social network?
- What does this suggest?
- Bolder dolphins have a more central role with stronger relationships.
- This suggests that personality traits influence social structure among dolphins.
- What did another study find about the stability of dolphin personality traits over time?
- What does this emphasize?
- Traits parallel to introversion and extraversion remained stable over 32 years.
- This study emphasizes the long-term consistency of personality traits in dolphins.
How do dolphins produce sounds?
Through their blowholes by moving air through interconnected air sacs.
How do dolphins hear underwater (Hint: a certain bone vibrates)?
By sensing vibrations in the jawbone, which connects to their brain.
What alternative communication methods do dolphins use apart from vocalization?
Body language and touch (e.g., touching pectoral fins).
- What skill do dolphins possess regarding body behaviors (Hint: copycats)?
- What does this assist in?
- They are good at reading each other’s body behaviors and syncing up.
- This ability helps them form bonds.
What characteristic do some dolphins exhibit more than others (Hint: squid)?
Curiosity - some dolphins are more curious and explore new objects or innovate new behaviors.
- What is the technique called that some dolphins in Australia use to uncover food?
- How does this technique work?
- Sponging
- Dolphins wear a sea sponge on their beak to help find food on the seafloor.
How can dolphins be pesky?
They may work together to effectively steal fish from fishing nets.
Do dolphins teach other dolphins?
Yes - dolphins will share feeding techniques (e.g., stealing from nets) with their friends.
What do Brazilian fishers look for to indicate where to cast nets?
Where bottlenose dolphins dive - dolphins signal the location of migrating mullet fish for fishers.
How long have the fishing partnerships between dolphins and fishers been passed down in Brazil?
Over 150 years
What do dolphins eat after fishers cast their nets?
Disoriented fish that aren’t caught - dolphins benefit from the fishing activities by consuming fish that escape the nets.
How can you tell if a habour porpoise was killed by a bottlenose dolphin?
If the skin exhibits extensive tooth raking.
True or False: The media’s portrayal of dolphins as ‘psychopathic killers’ is supported by credible evidence.
False - such statements are considered sensationally anthropomorphic.
What percentage of porpoises stranded in Scottish waters since the 1990s exhibit signs of attack by bottlenose dolphins?
Over 60%
Give three theories why bottlenose dolphins may attack harbour porpoises.
- Misdirected sexual aggression
- Play
- Practice fighting
Why is competition for food unlikely to be the reason as to why bottlenose dolphins attack harbour porpoises?
Their diets don’t overlap very much.
