Ecology, Behavior and Social Organization of the Bottlenose Dolphin: A Review

Abstract

The authors review the literature on bottlenose dolphin ecology, behavior and social organization, focusing on data collected on free‐ranging animals. Most bottlenose dolphins studied to date have had definable home ranges, and behavioral, morphological and biochemical information indicates discrete stocks in some areas. Bottlenose dolphins appear to form relatively permanent social groups based on sex and age. Mother—calf bonds are long‐lasting. Movement patterns are extremely variable from location to location but are relatively predictable at any given site. Food resources are one of the most important factors affecting movements. Bottlenose dolphin behavior is very flexible, and these dolphins are generally active day and night. Feeding peaks in the morning and afternoon have been observed at several sites. Social behavior is an important component of daily activities. Sharks are the most significant predator on bottlenose dolphins in most areas, but captive and wild studies show that dolphins and sharks frequently live in harmony as well. Human activities may be helpful, harmful or neutral to bottlenose dolphins, but interactions with humans are frequent for these coastal cetaceans.

Behavioral patterns and movement intensity of Sotalia guianensis (P. J. van Bénéden) (Cetacea, Delphinidae) in two different areas on the Brazilian coast

“…This relation between behavioral responses of small cetaceans and the dynamic of its prey is also well documented by other authors (e.g. WELLS et al 1980, SHANE et al 1986, SELZER & PAYNE 1988, REILLY 1990, JAQUET & WHITEHEAD 1996, FIEDLER et al 1998, ACEVEDO-GUTIERREZ & PARKER 2000.…”

“…The behavioral patterns considered in the present work were adapted from SHANE et al (1986), as follows: foraging (FO) -short and asynchronic dives, abundant aerial events, movements in varying directions (except for cooperative feeding) and, many times, the presence of seabirds; the dolphins could be either in the same area, or moving in a defined direction; and travelling (T) -moving steadily in one direction, with synchronised dives. Other behavioral patterns, such as resting and socializing, were excluded from our analyses due to small frequency of occurrence.…”

Inter-individual association levels correlate to behavioral diversity in coastal bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Southwestern Gulf of Mexico

“…Aggregations in animals are widely variable in size and composition, and their study is closely linked to the criteria used to define their limits (Shane et al 1986;Wells et al 1987;Shane 1990;Wells 1991;Smolker et al 1992;Bejder et al 1998;Whitehead 1999;Connor et al 2000;Mareike 2003;Morteo 2011). The number of individuals in a group has been related to advantages while overcoming selective pressures, including but not limited to protection against harassment and predation, improving food acquisition and energy efficiency, thus leading to enhanced reproductive output (Wells et al 1980;Shane et al 1986;Mareike 2003).…”

Composition and Distribution of Dolphin in Savu Sea National Marine Park, East Nusa Tenggara

“…Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the species with high appearance in November and March-April period. This is due to the behavioral patterns of the bottlenose dolphin that tends to live in a group with small numbers, approximately 2-15 individuals (Shane et al, 1986) and associated with other species of cetaceans (Jefferson et al, 1993). The distribution of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncantus) is mostly within 500 m from the beach, and sometimes this species lives in offshore near steep cliffs where preys may be more abundant (Priyono, 2013).…”

“…Shane et al (1986) and Hansen (1990) stated that in coastal waters of Gulf Mexico the composition and group size of the bottlenose dolphin always changes in a day. Carwardine (1995) stated the type of spinner dolphin has 3 (three) color patterns that are light gray on the side and white (gray white) on the abdomen.…”