Dolphins are perhaps the most intelligent aquatic animals on earth. Through their dynamic social structure, complexity of communication tactics, and emotional intelligence, it is no wonder tht dolphins inhabit every ocean in the world, as well as many freshwater rivers, in the same way humans have populated every continent. The cognitive abilities that dolphins possess undoubtedly are remarkable, thus what makes them the smartest aquatic animal on the planet.
Large brain size in mammals has been related to the number and complexity of social relationships. Dolphins are highly social animals consistent with humans, great apes and other creatures displaying high levels of intelligence. They are frequently observed as having highly dynamic social relationships that intertwine fluidity, flexibility, and security. Although membership within a pod can be fluid and flexible in means to accomplish a common goal, other times strong bonds are formed. This can be witnessed through dolphins’ refusal to abandon injured or ill individuals. Within these pods, dolphins maintain security through their immediate social network—consisting of a few close companions and more casual relationships. In these groups the dolphins work together to survive while looking out for the well being of one another. Dolphin calves are among the few species that are taught survival skills as well as culture by their mothers. Mother dolphins teach their young to hunt through playful-looking movements, pointing gestures, and repetition— which often takes up to eight times longer to capture prey. This is done for learning purposes of calves in order to acquire knowledge through observation and repetition. This transfer of knowledge is commonly referred to as the ‘t...
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Watch out dolphins because you may no longer be the most intelligent animals anymore! Elephants, one of our lands largest creatures, are taking your spot! In the video, Elephants Show Cooperation, the article, Elephants Can Lend a Helping Trunk, and the passage, from Elephants Know When They Need a Helping Trunk in a Cooperative Task, the authors illustrate the intelligence of these pachyderms. They all show an experiment that proves this claim. Elephants “join the elite club of social cooperators: chimpanzees, hyenas, rooks, and humans.” Their cognitive ability even surprises the researchers. They not only make wise decisions, but also work well with their companions. All three sources depict the sagacity of these remarkable creatures.
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One of the most common dolphins that are found in southern California is the bottlenose dolphin (Kelly). The bottlenose dolphin is mainly found in coastal waters between 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south, also in Northern Europe waters. It is believed that there are two types of bottlenose dolphin regional wise: oceanic form and coastal form. This species is studied the most by biologists (Jefferson). The coastal population lives in fairly open groups with twenty or less in a pod, some groups are found to contain more in open ocean. It is not uncommon for these species to interact and breed with other species, as would a human interact with other diverse humans. The dolphins feeding behavior is adapted to the availability of resources. They sometimes are known to work together to catch fish from large schools, they also trail behind large fishing boats to catch what falls behind (Leatherwood).
...t to be entertained by seeing killer whales perform tricks. In the wild, the highly intelligent orcas perform their own “tricks.” According to marine biologist Jacques Cousteau, “There is about as much educational benefit to be gained in studying dolphins in captivity as there would be studying mankind by only observing prisoners held in solitary confinement.”
Killer whales communicate by a series of clicks and whistles called vocalization. Each pod, or family, has their own unique language. This gives whales the ability to identify their own pods. Orcas have a brain that is about five ti...
Ever wonder how animals know so much? It’s simple. It’s all according to how they act and what they know. When an animal is born it has instincts. These instincts help the creature survive and cause them to behave certain ways. This is called Innate behaviors. Although, some things animals have been taught. Unlike Innate behaviors whereas it comes from the genes, other behaviors have to be learned. They are called Learned behaviors. Together, Innate and Learned behaviors can prove that animals are smarter then most people think.
Shirihai, H. and B. Jarrett (2006). Whales, Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals of the World. Princeton, Princeton University Press. p.185-188.
Bottlenose dolphins became part of a United States Navy program in 1959 for the purpose of conducting scientific research into their sonar and hydrodynamics in hopes of getting design ideas for submarines, ship hulls and weapons. It was discovered dolphins hear and navigate in the water by using their natural sonar, which happened to be more precise than most fabricated sonar systems. In the mid-sixties, Navy dolphins were used as mail carriers to underwater laboratories in their home of San Diego, California.
Language is commonly held to be the province of humans, but other inhabitants of earth possess their own forms of communication. Birds, dolphins, and whales are some of those that have a language. Primates also use vocal communication with each other. Their utterances have varied uses and volumes, with each primate’s voice being distinct just as human voices are. These unique calls have given researchers insight into the social workings of primate groups. The very fact that primates have a language offers insight into the evolution of language and calls into question what the term human truly means.
Orca whales are extraordinarily intelligent, social, and friendly animals. They follow a very close matrilineal group, with varying behaviors and languages among each pod. In an interview of John Hargrove, a former SeaWorld orca trainer of 14 years, told National Public Radio, “There’s something almost scary to it, the intelligence level of these animals... how tightly united their social groups are, their family units especially… the animals that are true family members. It’s really remarkable,” (Hargrove). Despite orcas’ familiar nickname “killer whale,” there have been no
The ability to be aware that one is having experiences such as physical pleasure, and pain and to be able to reflect on those experiences is an important criterion for personhood. Dolphins have a signature whistle that each dolphin receives as an equivalent of a name which they use for interactions and communication within themselves. Although dolphins use sound to communicate, scientists still know little about the process and the content of communicating which indicates that it is not for sure that they understand the concept of self. In addition, many other animals communicate with other members meaning that dolphins are not the only species who do, and for that reason, they should not gain rights under the
Their beautiful song can travel miles and miles underwater. These sequences of moans, howls, cries, and other noises are quite complex and often continue for hours on end. It is most likely that humpbacks sing to communicate with others and to attract potential mates (National Geographic). Humpback whales travel in groups called pods. These whales, like others, regularly leap from the water, landing with a tremendous splash. Scientists aren’t sure if this breaching behavior serves some purpose. These whales are famous for the water acrobatics. Humpback whales can frequently be seen leaping out of the water and sometimes can use their flukes to propel themselves completely out of the water (Animal Planet).
There are many reasons why dolphins are very intelligent animals, there are 33 different types of marine dolphins, 4 types of river dolphins, and 6 types of porpoises (dolphins are mammals). Some of the dolphinspeople may think they would be whales, because of their looks, but they are dolphins. Dolphins have a strong behavior; they are very social and travel in groups together. They commonly swim in groups of 2-15 . Severalof different groups of dolphins may temporarily join, for several minutes or hours. In the open waters of theocean, some dolphins will leave their group and change associates and adapt with different dolphins threw outtime (Dolphins communication). In the groups, some members will form a strong bond with one another in thepod. The sizes of the groups tend to increase with the water depth of the ocean and the openness of the habitat, this usually happens when protection with strong with each other and foraging st...
These dolphins are the type of dolphins common people would see at the Zoo or on a T.V. programed performance. Like the Common Dolphins, the Atlantic Bottle-Nosed Dolphins are highly skillful echolocators. They can produce a range of sounds, like a click, using it to analyze any object around them in the ocean (Whitfield 114). According to Whitfield on page 114, they can produce up to 100 clicks a second. They will use these clicks to also find food. They mainly eat Bottom-dwelling fish in inshore waters or surface swimming fish. They can do many other objects with their echolocation finder and using their