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What are the natural predators of bottlenose dolphins?

Dolphins-World — Wed, 31 May 2017 15:39:38 +0000

In the vast ocean, all creatures are vulnerable. Bottlenose dolphins are cetaceans that rarely become prey, thanks to their size, their intelligence, the use of echolocation and their level of socialization that gives them a significant advantage by staying in groups and intimidating their opponent. However, two predators will take the smallest opportunities to feed on dolphins: killer whales and sharks.

We know that the killer whales are expert hunters, especially when they hunt in organized groups. Although there are few documented cases, these animals that are the world’s largest dolphins, attack other species of smaller dolphins, mainly young, newborn or sick. To do it they separate the mother from the calf, making impossible to the latter defend its offspring.

However, a group of orcas does not feel intimidated by a large pod of dolphins. Although there are no records of this kind of attack to bottlenose dolphins, there are videos where a pod of killer whales approaches aggressively to groups of dolphins of other species, and as if they were seals, they beat them and throw them into the air until they are stunned and finally feed on them. Several types of dolphins suffer this kind of aggression, and the bottlenose dolphins are likely part of this list.

Regarding sharks, the most dangerous species for members of the genus Tursiops are the largest: tiger shark, sand shark, bull shark and, of course, the great white shark. It is not uncommon to observe dolphins with scars from shark attacks, which means they are not easy prey and their escape techniques often help them survive.

A study conducted in Shark Bay, Western Australia, revealed that 95 of 128 bottlenose dolphins analyzed showed scars from shark bites, mostly from tiger sharks. The frequency of new body marks and the high attack rates suggest that bottlenose dolphins are at risk in this locality more than in other parts of the world.

A few cases with rays are known. Although they are not dolphin predators because they have a diet based on small fish, mollusks, and plankton, the trauma and infections they cause with the sharp edges of their tail sometimes become deadly.

Delphinus Delphis with Calf

Dolphins-World — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:31:26 +0000

Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) with Calf

Image Courtesy of: Jessica Redfern. “Photo: Protected Resouces Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, La Jolla, California. swfsc.nmfs.noaa.gov/PRD/”

Baby Bottlenose Dolphin

Dolphins-World — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:29:53 +0000

Cute Baby bottlenose dolphin

Amazon River Dolphin in Captivity

Dolphins-World — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:29:53 +0000

This video features images of an Amazon Pink Dolphin Calf in captivity that draws visitors’ attention. Dolphins are social by nature and they make people feel confident to approach them. As you can see, the physiology of this dolphin is so peculiar that it seems as if they were always smiling and in good mood. That is why that during the exhibition of this cetacean, children enjoy watching them and are the ones more attracted to the positive attitude of these beautiful animals.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoAqeOsJacA

Dolphin Mother and Calf

Dolphins-World — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:29:28 +0000

Dolphin Mother and Calf

Amazon River Dolphin in Aquarium

Dolphins-World — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:28:33 +0000

Although not in the wild, this fine specimen of the Amazon Pink Dolphin swims quietly in an aquarium and shows his amazing ability to adapt to different environments. People in care have tried to recreate his home by incorporating elements that resemble his natural habitat, such as plants, rocks and animals that usually would be part of their environment, however, the destruction of natural habitats for many species has forced thousands of species, which cannot live anymore where they used to inhabit, to learn how to survive under new conditions.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=20h9Tg8BCYU