ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE DAY #2

ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE DAY #2

We’re going for a dip in the big blue ocean to meet today’s intelligent animal. These sleek, fast and smart mammals have adapted big brains that scientists are just beginning to understand. Just how smart these mammals are is still undetermined, but what we know about them now is pretty cool! Grab your goggles and let’s go!

MEET THE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN!

   Range/Habitat: Oceans worldwide, except for the polar regions

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, mollusks, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: 6 ¼- 13 ft/ up to 1,110 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Bottlenose dolphins are very social and live in complex groups.
• They make many different whistles and clicks to communicate with each other. These vocalizations are still be studied and understood by scientists.
• Each dolphin has a signature or individual whistle that identifies them, like we have names.
• They use tools. One group of dolphins has been seen using sponges to protect their noses from stingrays and stonefish as they look for prey.
• Bottlenose dolphins are able to recognize themselves in a mirror.
• They learn behaviors from their mothers and other dolphins.
• Bottlenose dolphins have been taught to understand sign language.
• They also use many different cooperative hunting techniques.

Bottlenose dolphins have earned a reputation for being cute show animals, but they are so much more than that. Researchers are really just beginning to understand the depths of their intelligence, both in institutions and in the wild. One dolphin Kelly, is amazing researchers at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, check them out!  Too bad we don’t know how to speak dolphin! Squeak, click, whistle!