Bottlenose dolphins are well-studied creatures in the ocean, with researchers believing they possess advanced intellectual abilities that make them easily trainable. Their intelligence is showcased in various ways, from performing tricks for audiences to playing football like professionals, as seen in a captivating video by fishing.with.guy. But just how intelligent are these dolphins, and do they require training to exhibit such skills?
The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) can be found in temperate and tropical coastal and off-shore waters globally. These marine mammals, belonging to the Cetacea order alongside porpoises and whales, must surface periodically to breathe due to having lungs despite living in water. Recognizable by their varying shades of grey and distinctive short, round snouts, adult bottlenose dolphins typically weigh between 300-1400 pounds and measure 6-13 feet in length. Social creatures, they form groups ranging from just a few to over 100 individuals, leveraging their large brains and complex social skills.
Although some argue that the exceptional intelligence of dolphins is debatable, these creatures exhibit intriguing behaviors. From working together to herd prey and care for injured members to using sound for communication and displaying self-awareness, dolphins showcase their social and emotional intelligence. Their playfulness is evident in the wild through activities like play fighting, chasing, and object manipulation, as captured in the video set in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico, a renowned location for dolphin encounters.
The dolphin in the video may have been taught to play with man-made objects like balls and rings, as this behavior has been frequently observed in captive-born dolphin populations. However, some researchers suggest that captive dolphins may learn to play “catch” through social interactions and trial and error, rather than direct training. During object manipulation, dolphins typically release objects from the sides of their mouths. In the video, the dolphin is seen turning its head sideways and quickly jerking it back to release the ball. While the throwing distance of dolphins is not well-documented, these marine mammals are known for their strength and athleticism, capable of swimming at speeds up to 20mph and producing powerful thrust of 300-400 pounds, generating 5,400 watts of power when accelerating. Dolphins can also jump over 20 feet. Therefore, despite the exact force behind the throw being unknown, dolphins possess the strength and ability to effectively deliver the ball to the receiver, showcasing their impressive athleticism. The original post titled “This Dolphin Throws Like Patrick Mahomes” was published on A-Z Animals.
