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.

While kayaking on Biscayne Bay during the past two weeks, I saw a bunch of flippers splashing vigorously above the water’s surface, on five different days, near the pilings of a low bridge I often paddle beneath. It’s a favorite spot, because the bridge is too low for powerboats.

I saw the flipper-splashing-commotion in the second arch from shore, while I paddled through the third arch from shore, about 10 feet away. At first, I thought it was a school of small fish, leaping out of the water. When I got a closer look, I thought they resembled a dolphin’s flippers, but there were too many flippers for one dolphin.

For some reason, I decided “it” must be a big turtle with a lot of flippers. (I’m from New Jersey, and don’t know much about turtles.) I assumed two dolphins would not hang out that close together, or float so near to the surface, in a stationary location, every day for two weeks. Yet, for some reason, I thought that a really big, multi-flippered turtle would. (Duh.)

At the time, I didn’t realize that a pregnant dolphin usually seeks a protected area to give birth, accompanied by a sort of wingman from the pod, akin to a “mid-wife,” and usually bears a single calf.

Four days ago, I kayaked in the second arch, by mistake, and about 5 feet in front of me, the flippers went nuts. I realized “the creature” was trying to scare me away. I thought that if I back-paddled, I might get stuck in the pilings, and I could not figure out a way to reverse course without nearly stopping first. “The creature,” now just 3 feet way, might misinterpret the kayak’s maneuvering as predatory, and get aggressive.

I figured that Miami marine life is familiar with boaters, and that “the creature” would feel least threatened if I continued to glide past. I took gentle, shallow strokes so I would not strike “it” with my paddle, hoping it understood to swim low. When I glided over it, and didn’t feel any warning bumps on the underside of my kayak, I knew “it” understood.

The poor thing had seemed so frantic that I decided “it” was stuck. Why else would a “turtle” stay in one place for two weeks? I know a guy in Palm Beach who works with marine life, so I decided to give him a call, but I didn’t know how to describe it. Yesterday, I paddled by for a closer look. Nothing.

This morning, I paddled through the third arch as usual, searching for the “turtle.” There was no frantic splashing of flippers.

Instead, I saw the classic arch of a dolphin surfacing for air – – in miniature! It was a tiny, newborn dolphin, no bigger than a yardstick. First one gentle arch, then its identical sibling…this pair of twins…breathtaking!

Thanks to Emily for submitting her story.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVxYZQodoi8

Pantropical spotted dolphin swimming ahead of the NOAA Ship RUDE Stenella attenuata

Image Courtesy of: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce

Pantropical Spotted Dolphin skipping on its tail over the water

Image courtesy of  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s5JpWzQS8Y