Tara A. Spears
Everyone loves dolphins! These intelligent, social creatures seem to be smiling all the time, while they joyfully swim through the water and leap into the air. While most people know a thing or two about Dolphins from watching the movie Flipper, these ocean mammals are complex. When visiting the Nayarit Mexico coast, there are six species that can be sighted in local waters. (oceanconnection.org)
Unlike their cousins, the whales, Dolphins have a different type of migration. Most dolphin families have a territory that they inhabit. But they do exhibit some migration behaviors that are regular, often seasonal, movement of individuals or populations from one habitat to another. In the case of dolphins, their migration patterns are driven by a combination of factors, including food availability, water temperature, breeding, and the need to avoid predators. Dolphin movement is more related to moving towards shallow to deep water than traveling great distances.
A big motivator in Dolphin migration is the reproductive cycle that centers around breeding and calving. Many dolphin species migrate to specific areas to breed and give birth. Warm, calm waters are often preferred for these critical life events, as they provide protection for newborn calves. Another migration stimulator involves accessing food. Dolphins are skilled hunters and follow the movement of their prey. For example, they may follow schools of fish, such as herring or mackerel, as these fish migrate in search of food.
As a serious fishing/boating enthusiast, I have observed first hand the amazing way that Dolphins communicate with each other. Like us humans, dolphins rely on social interactions to survive and thrive. As a result, effective communication between individuals is essential.
Bottlenose dolphins live in complex societies where each animal has a small number of closely connected individuals and a larger number of looser associates (not dissimilar to our own social networks). They rely heavily on interpersonal interactions to maintain a healthy social balance, reported Marine scientist, Ekaterina Ovsyanikova. Her research team was able to confirm that dolphins use “signature whistles” to identify themselves to others.
“Dolphins have a repertoire of unique but variable sounds,” explained lead scientist, Ovsyanikova. “Dolphins use various sounds, such as burst pulses and whistles, to communicate. There are two broad categories of whistles: signature whistles (distinctive whistle types that are unique to each individual) and non-signature (the rest of their sounds). They develop these signals when they are young and maintain them throughout their lives.”
The second research conclusion is that, “while signature whistles are individually learned “labels” that can be compared to the custom of human names,” reported Ovsyanikova. “In terms of the information signature whistles transmit, a useful analogy is comparing to human faces. 
Humans carry identity information in our fixed facial features. At the same time, we transmit a lot of additional information, including emotional and contextual cues, through more transient facial expressions. Like signature whistles, our faces combine stability and variability in their “information package”.
I have witnessed verbal and visual Dolphin communication over the years, so I was excited that this recent scientific study proved my observations. I’ve observed many times a pod cooperating in order to feed and to teach the young. I have seen the pod circle a school of fish and a mother gently push the baby into the trapped fish so the little one could catch some. It was absolutely amazing!
The highlight of visiting or living in proximity to the ocean is the chance to see dolphins up close. These sleek, loyal, and intelligent animals touch the heart. They remind us to stay playful, keep our inner child safe and stand by loved ones.
