Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center

Bottlenose Dolphin Behaviors

By Kirsten Spray, Northeastern University Intern

August 2014

Many people going on a dolphin cruise may wonder: why are there
dolphins in Cape May, New Jersey and what will I see when watching them? In
fact, Cape May waters are extremely nutrient rich, attracting all kinds of aquatic
life. These nutrients allow for tons of plankton and fish species to thrive, which
are main food sources for dolphins and whales. This abundance of food causes
Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to come back to Cape May
every summer to feed, mate, and give birth. The dolphins will mate in these
waters and give birth to their calves a year later. Then during the winter, the
dolphins will travel down south to follow their prey towards warmer
temperatures. The cycle continues every year, allowing Cape May to become a
regular place to watch dolphins. Additionally, these intelligent Bottlenose
Dolphins can exhibit a diverse range of behaviors above water that allows for
great dolphin watching opportunities.

Traveling behaviors are when large numbers of dolphins continuously

swim pointed in one direction. Dolphins can either travel alone or in groups
called pods. Very large groups consisting of hundreds dolphins are called herds.
These groups of dolphins rarely remain constant as individuals may come and go.
Dolphins normally travel at speeds of around 5 mp/h, but can reach to speeds of
around 30 mp/h. When possible they will
catch a ride on the pressure wave from the
back of a boat. Bow or wake-riding is not
only fun, but helps save a bit of energy!

Resting looks like traveling, however

there are some distinguishable differences.
Resting dolphins have slower paced
movements, tighter group formation, and have a methodical breathing pattern.
In fact, dolphins have a unique way of getting sleep because they are conscious
breathers, meaning that every breath is a deliberate effort. They will shut one half
of their brain off at a time; one half getting sleep, while the other half stays alert.
Rest is important for dolphins to have enough energy to feed, nurse calves, and
breed. Dolphins will average about 8 hours of sleep a day.

Feeding behaviors may be observed when individuals are tail slapping,

jumping out of the water, the presence of bubbling bait balls, and quickly
moving or changing direction and speed. Dolphins are foragers and will feed on
small fish, squid, and small crustaceans.
Using ecolocation to first track their prey,
there are quite a few different ways dolphins
will catch their food. One way is the pod will
herd fish into a tight ball at the top of the
surface, called a bait ball. The dolphins will
take turns lunging at the large mass of fish,
catching as many as they can. Another
behavior that may be observed is dolphins
slapping their tails on the surface of the water while hunting. Tail slapping is a
feeding technique that sounds like thunder to the fish below, stunning them in
the process. The fish therefore become easy prey for the dolphins. Bottlenose
dolphins are also known for their acrobatics and can be seen leaping out of the
water while chasing fish. Dolphins have even been observed using sponges or
other natural tools to find their prey!
 Socializing dolphins usually are seen when there is jumping, splashing,
rubbing, touching, playing, surfing, or
aggression. Touching and talking are
important aspects of communication for
dolphins. Mothers and calves will often
communicate with body contact, such as
rubbing and nuzzling, and vocally with
clicking and whistling sounds. Some of these
sounds are used as unique signature whistles
that functions as names. Dolphins are very
playful and can be observed surfing on waves and jumping out of the water.
When there is a lot of splashing present, this behavior is most likely indicative of
mating. Dolphins come into the Cape May area to breed, and they do so
frequently. Normally these behaviors include splashing and jumping out of the
water with multiple dolphins. Another behavior that may be observed is dolphin
aggression, including ramming bodies, biting, and snapping their jaws at each
other.

Works Cited

"Dolphin Behavior." NOAA Dolphin SMART. Dolphin Ecology Project, n.d. Web. 07 Sept.

2014.

"Findings." The Shark Bay Dolphin Project. Ed. Caitlin Karniski. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Sept.

2014.

Additional information taken from the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center naturalists

and fact sheet. Photos taken by Kirsten Spray for CMWW&RC.