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Dolphins Communication

This particular section of Dolphinaris Encyclopedia provides you with all the information about dolphins’ communication. Keep on reading and learn more about these cute mammals.

Sound production

Dolphins rely heavily on sound production and reception to navigate, communicate, and hunt in dark or murky waters, all these functions can be done at the same time. The larynx does not possess vocal cords, it is theorized that at least some sound production originates there. Early studies suggested that whistles were generated in the larynx while clicks were produced in the nasal sac region. The frequency of the sounds produced by a bottlenose dolphin ranges from 0.25 to 150 kHz.

Intelligence

Bottlenose dolphins possess one of the highest ratios of brain size to body mass in the animal world. Dolphin intelligence still requires further research, but so far studies have shown that dolphins are smart, highly social animals. Dolphins have shown that they are self-aware. This means that they are able to recognize themselves in a mirror. whereas other species would think they are looking at another animal. Bottlenose dolphins also have shown language comprehension abilities. They identify themselves with a signature whistle.

Echolocation

Dolphins’ communication is based on echolocation. The term echolocation refers to an ability to locate and discriminate objects by projecting high-frequency sound waves and listening for echoes. Sound waves travel through water at a speed of about 1.5 km/sec, which is 4.5 times faster than sound traveling through air. These sound waves bounce off objects in the water and return to the dolphin in the form of an echo. The brain receives the sound waves in the form of nerve impulses, which relay the messages of sound and enable the dolphin to interpret the sound's meaning. By this complex system of echolocation, odontocetes can determine size, shape, speed, distance, direction, and even some of the internal structure of objects in the water. Bottlenose dolphins are able to learn and later recognize the echo signatures returned by preferred prey species.