Kathleen records four Atlantic spotted dolphins with her MVA system. We prefer that the dolphins ignore us when we observe their behavior.
Dolphins love to play. They’ll play with each other, with people, and with objects like this seaweed. Sometimes they play keep away with prized toys.
Sargassum and other seaweeds often make nice aquatic jewelry for the dolphins. Play doesn’t have to be the only function for these watery delights.
Killer whales travel in family pods; the adult males are readily identifiable by their tall dorsal fins. The adult male dorsal fin is at least twice the size of the adult female dorsal fin.
Spotted dolphins in The Bahamas are often seen rubbing part of their body into the sand—maybe to scratch an itch, rub off sloughing skin, or just because it feels good.
The strongest bond among most dolphins is that between mother and calf. Calves travel near mom’s dorsal fin or just ventral to her for protection and assistance during swimming.
The biggest threat to dolphins worldwide is pollution. This plastic bag might seem decorative, but it is dangerous to a variety of ocean animals.
In a remote part of Mexico, Toni is approached by a “friendly” gray whale. The unique whale-human relationship that has developed here is staunchly protected and provides perhaps the only situation where whales can safely approach people for close interaction.
Human beings share the planet with thousands of other species. We must learn to interact responsibly with other animals and to share our planet’s resources.
Swimming with dolphins is an amazing experience. Every country has different rules that should be checked out before you dive in.
Spotted dolphins are born without spots and gain pigmentation as they age. Here a swimmer views four spotted dolphins of different ages.
If we are not careful, we might love these animals too much. Solitary, sociable toothed whales, like Wilma, often take humans as their group.
It is rare to find dolphins alone. They are often touching or rubbing each other.
Dolphins already share a set of communicative signals with people: they understand both gestures and sounds from human trainers.
Dolphins are voluntary breathers and exhale just before their blowhole breaks the surface. The air bubble from this mom is a good example of a dolphin exhalation.
Dolphin watching has grown exponentially around the world.
At times it is hard to determine just who is watching whom.
Mutual respect allows a trainer to request a specific behavior from a dolphin. Husbandry behaviors are important to the well-being of many animals in captivity.
Like most social animals, the young dolphins are most playful.
Belugas have a bulbous forehead that seems to express their inquisitive nature.
Dolphins have a reputation for being a “happy-go-lucky, friendly, helper to man,” which their smile supports. Dolphins are social mammals and can be aggressive.
Caught! Sometimes the dolphins are quite inquisitive of our observations … or maybe just of us. Here the tables are turned on Kathleen as she watches two bottlenose dolphins around Mikura Island, Japan.
