How Dolphins Use Teamwork to Their Benefit

Dolphins We can learn a lot from observing how animals relate to one another. Take, for instance, dolphins. Did you know they will cooperate when they’re hunting for food? You might see dolphins slapping their tails in order to scare fish out of the water and right into their partners’ mouths. Dolphins are smart. With their beaklike snout, curved fin on the back, and what looks almost like a toothy smile, dolphins have long been considered friendly to humans. They’re known for their sociable nature and high intelligence.

Researchers have spent time studying how dolphins communicate with one another. By observing six bottlenose dolphins in a captive lagoon facility in Florida, researchers found that they heard significantly more noise while dolphins were cooperating to open a PVC container introduced into the lagoon. In particular, they heard more “burst pulses,” which were a series of rapid clicks seemingly used for cooperative communication. Interesting, right?

While we don’t get to spend time around dolphins often enough, these beautiful creatures are out there in the oceans and any chance to see them in their natural habitat is surely a treat.

Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach offers sunset cruises lasting about an hour and a half to go see dolphins. Trips run Memorial Day through Labor Day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings.

How would you like to see dolphins interacting with one another out by Cape Henry? You can see if they slap their tails on a hunt and/or listen for their clicks or whistle noises. Just the sight of them swimming alongside the boat is enough for a memorable experience. Bring your camera.

For the chance to see some dolphins swimming off the coast of Virginia Beach, please call Dockside Seafood & Fishing Charter at 757-481-4545 to ask about pricing, trip availability and to make reservations.

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