Dolphin Feeding

Dolphin Feeding Habits

Since wild dolphins catch and eat their food underwater and research is expensive and  difficult to do in such conditions, most of the data regarding the feeding habits of dolphins has come from analyzing the contents of the stomachs of dead dolphins that wash up on the beach.

In a few cases, however, underwater photographers have been lucky enough to catch wild dolphins feeding and occasionally, dolphins catch fishes close to the surface.

Scientific information in most cases comes from dolphins in captivity or research institutes, but most scientists however, do not feel that the habits of captive dolphins can be compared to those in captivity.

The Catch of the Day

We do know that dolphins feed mainly on fish. They are not really hunters but rather seem to be happy with the most abundant species that is available to them. Consequently, the diets of dolphins in the wild tend depend on the area in which they're living as well as the time of the year. Regular treats are several fish species, squid and octopus.

Dolphins swallow their food whole, without chewing. They use the muscles at the back of their tongue and throat to squeeze the salt water out and the fish down.

Dolphins tend to take the fish head first, a behavior researchers believe that keeps the fins and spines folded back. That way the dolphin does not injure its throat.

Adult dolphins can eat a fish that weigh up to 5 kilograms, smaller, younger dolphins tend to stay with smaller fish.

Sophisticated Hunting Techniques

When foraging for food, dolphins emit sound waves which reflect off the fish. The returning echo acts as radar, letting the dolphin know exactly where the fish are. This techique is called Echolocation.

Some researchers also believe that dolphins emit loud noises to stun and confuse the fish, making them easier to catch.

Dolphins usually hunt in groups, forming a circle or a U shape and herding the fish, then they simply take turns to swoop through the school of fish, eating as many as they can.

Dolphins have also been known to take fish right out of the nets of fishermen. It has also been reported that dolphins have even used humans to provide their food supplies. In Africa, bottlenose dolphins actually herd mullet to the shallow water where fishermen wait with nets to trap the fish. The cooperative effort apparently involves the fishermen allowing the dolphins to take their fill and they then take the rest.

Dolphin Migration for Food

Dolphins migrate to find food. If they stay in the same small area, they would quickly finish the available food supply; therefore, they tend to leave the place and then revisit later the feeding grounds periodically.

How much a dolphin actually need to eat really depends on what he's actually eating. Certain types of fish for example, have higher fat content than others and consequently provide more energy at a lesser quantity than the fish that have a low fat content. Most research suggests that a dolphin needs to eat approximately 1/3 of their body weight in fish on a daily basis.


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