LET’S HAVE A DOLPHIN-TALK!
In the ocean, marine mammals rely strongly in sound to navigate, communicate, feed or mate. They produce different types of sounds according to the behaviour context and their habitat. For example, humpback whales are known for their complex songs during the breeding season.
Dolphins are known to be very sociable animals and having a complex acoustic repertoire. They produce a variety of sounds, described as whistles, squeaks, buzzes and clicks, which may travel several kms underwater. These sounds are used for many purposes, as for example to strength their relationship with their conspecifics or to communicate when they are feeding in a group.
Dolphins use clicks and buzzes sounds to find their prey, as they emit sounds and receive their echoes when hitting fish, so they can localise preciously a schooling fish. This we called echolocation!
Whistles play an important role for socialising purposes and so far have been mainly described in dolphin’s family. These marine mammals display a great intelligence, which is not fully understood. Even dolphins can remember other dolphins after several years without contact!
It is known that each dolphin develops distinct whistle from other members within the group, which is called a signature whistle. Basically, is similar to a name, as it serves to identify the dolphin in the group.
These signature whistles are developed at an early age and maintained for life! The development of a signature whistle is influenced by learning from other dolphins, each whistle varies in volume, frequency, pitch and length.
Young dolphins also learn the signature whistle of their mothers in the first months and they may developed their unique whistle within a year.
Recently, in Skjálfandi Bay, we have been seeing several groups of white beaked dolphins sometimes around 10 individuals other occasions in big groups with 50 individuals!
What they might be talking?
-Diana