This is the question that Dr. Olaf Meynecke recently studied over a six-month period. This research has led to new and exciting interactions between whales and dolphins in our oceans. The study examines 197 videos from 17 countries, primarily the United States and Australian advocacy efforts. It brings forth the deep connections that marine mammals have with each other. These playful interactions not only bring a smile to our face, but our findings indicate they can contribute to ensuring their continued development and long life.
The study focused on interactions among six types of whales and 13 dolphin species, revealing a pattern of close visual contact during their encounters. On multiple occasions, the two species sniffed one another. Dr. Meynecke added that this kind of behavior is typically limited towards family members, such as a mother whale and her young calf. Such behaviors raise some very interesting questions about what inter-tortoise communication might be like between these amazing creatures.
Observing Playful Interactions
Dr. Meynecke adapted his work to team up with his colleague Olivia Crawley to scour social media platforms. They prioritized finding existing footage of whale/dolphin interactions from the last 20 years. Their combined analysis revealed that in one-third of all interactions, whales responded favorably to dolphins. They tipped over on their sides, raised their bellies in the air, and crawled languidly toward them.
It is common dolphin behavior to play with whales, usually in one-sided fashion. They just have a habit of riding the bow wave created by these big behemoths. In an extraordinary incident observed in Hawaii, a whale used its head to gently lift a dolphin out of the water, showcasing the playful nature of these encounters.
“There’s no doubt that the whales respond in a very positive fashion to the presence of the dolphins,” – Wally Franklin
These sightings are extraordinarily powerful, said Franklin, who has experienced a number of these encounters as a naturalist guide while whale watching in Hervey Bay. He noted that the Griffith University paper is the groundbreaking, foundational research documenting behaviors that everyone in the field knows are true.
Acoustic Evidence of Communication
The researchers’ study findings highlight the possibility of acoustic communication between the two species. Dr. Meynecke wants to explore if whales and dolphins are able to talk with each other thanks to their unique sounds, which consist of whistles, clicks, and groans.
When we drop our hydrophones down, we’re able to listen to those gorgeous songs from the whales. Amid the pings and clicks from the underwater microphones, the excited chatter of dolphins bursts through as they engage with the whales, as Dr. Meynecke experienced. This realization means that their interactions are both visual and auditory.
“We are pretty certain that they’re able to hear each other, but whether there is actual communication happening that is maybe not possible to determine,” – Olaf Meynecke
Franklin further underscored that capturing the frequencies used in these interactions could provide valuable insights into how these intelligent animals connect.
Benefits of Play for Development
Dr. Meynecke, The research confirmed that access to spaces for play can have a huge positive impact on both species. He brought together the idea that playful behavior can really help with building relationships, provide sensory stimulation, and be overall beneficial to well being.
“Play behavior in the events described in our study may facilitate an individual’s ability to cultivate relationships, offer sensory stimulation and contribute to overall well-being,” he explained.
“These are highly intelligent animals and just like humans, they need creative times; they need times when their brain is in a relaxed mode,” – Olaf Meynecke
The implications of this research go well beyond what’s up on the board. Dr Meynecke proposed that such interactions could promote long-term emotional bonding and encourage cognitive tasks which may vastly develop the brains of both whales and dolphins. That encounter, he says, was “definitely something special.” The touch between a whale and a dolphin. This encounter would appear to hint at a perception that creeps closer to an intimate connection.
“The theory is that it either might have been the female humpback whale caregiving for this particular dolphin, or it was just really a joyful interaction,” – Wally Franklin
The knowledge gained from these interactions and their potential benefits makes them a valuable opportunity for understanding marine mammal behavior and informing conservation efforts.
