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Lesson: Listen closely. Not just to words, but to feelings, surroundings, and those who are often unheard. Listening can be powerful and healing.

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Dolphins use a variety of sounds, such as whistles and clicks to communicate and navigate the world to maintain social structures.

https://www.dolphinsplus.com/blog/how-do-dolphins-use-echolocation

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Have you ever wondered how marine mammals such as dolphins and whales manage to hunt in turbid-water where light doesn't penetrate? You have come to the right place. In this article, we will explore the process and function ofdolphin echolocation.

The way dolphins sail through the air and glide through the water is a magical view. Interestingly, dolphins and other animals such as porpoises, bats, and whales share a unique way of "seeing" the world through echolocation, also called sonar. In other words, dolphins can emit and receive the echoes of sound waves that bounce off any objects near them in the water.

How Does Echolocation Work?

In front of the dolphin's blowhole, in the area we call our forehead is their melon. Th e melon consists of fatty tissue a nd fluid and serves as the lens, through which sound is focused during echolocation. Echolocation is seeing with sound, much like sonar on a submarine. They can only echolocate in the water and not through the air. Sound waves are created in the nasal sacs and focused through the melon at various frequencies, allowing the dolphin to "see" with sound.

The sound waves travel through the melon and into the water and bounce off of objects of interest (like an echo underwater, hence the name). The sound waves then travel back to the dolphin and are received by their lower jaw, which is also filled with a fatty fluid. The sound waves travel from the jaw to the inner ear, to the nerves connected directly to the brain, where they translate the sound into an image.

Echolocation works similarly to an ultrasound. It gives a dolphin the capacity to explore their environment 3-dimensionally and aids in navigation and hunting in low light and low visibility environments. They emit sounds, or clicks, from their nasal passages, which are then passed through their melon (forehead). The melon is filled with fatty tissue and fluid and acts like an acoustic lens to focus the sounds in different directions. The sound waves then bounce off of objects of interest and are received by the dolphin's lower jaw as an echo. This information is then passed to the brain via the inner ear. Echolocation is very efficient. Bottlenose dolphins are capable of distinguishing an object the size of a ping-pong ball from a football field away.

How Sensitive Is Echolocation?

This exploratory process is so efficient that they are capable of determining what an object consists of. The human body is comprised of about 75% water, and once in the water, we provide a prime structure for echolocation. In other words, we appear similar to an ultrasound to the dolphin. When a dolphin echolocates on a person, they have the ability to see muscle tissue, bone tissue, scar tissue, metal pins or rods, artificial body parts, and many subtle differences from one human to the next.

Sound moves at a faster speed in water (1500 meters/sec) than in air (about 340 meters/sec); variables such as salinity, temperature and depth can affect the speed of sound in water. Since sound travels efficiently in water, dolphins utilize sounds via echolocation to orient themselves and survive by detecting prey. Most mammals produce sounds via vibrating vocal chords in the larynx (e.g., pinnipeds, sea otters, polar bears).

Odontocete cetaceans (toothed whales) produce sounds from nasal passages. Sound waves are created in the nasal sacs and focused through the melon at various frequencies, allowing the dolphin to "see" with sound. In murky waters, visibility may be extremely low, thus dolphins rely on echolocation rather than sight to catch prey and avoid predators.

Most odontocete cetaceans have the potential of emitting very high and low frequency sounds. These frequencies vary according to species and contexts. For example, dolphins can communicate with low-frequency signals such as chirping and whistling; however, when using echolocation they emit high-frequency sound signals.

Echolocation has been investigated for decades by research scientists to further understand the complex mechanisms of this unique ability. However, additional work is required before we fully understand the specifics of echolocation.

Photography by: https://www.flickr.com/photos/onms/31392265361/in/photostream/

To learn more about dolphins, visit our Dolphin Facts page.

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Dolphins, bats, and whales use echolocation to navigate their surroundings. Learn how dolphins utilize echolocation for communication in this article.

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Lesson: We must slow down, take breaks, and care for ourselves. Rest is resistance.

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Marine mammals have evolved to breathe efficiently, surfacing regularly to replenish oxygen. A reminder of the importance of intentional rest.

https://news.stonybrook.edu/newsroom/marine-mammals-surfacing-in-the-new-york-bight/

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SBU News - News & Features at Stony Brook University

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Marine Mammals Surfacing in the New York Bight - SBU News

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Research on the R/V Seawolf: Humpback whales and other species of whales and dolphins are among the many sea creatures in the Hudson Canyon, a deep submarine valley in the Atlantic located off New York City and Long Island in a region fed by the Gulf Stream and the Hudson River known as the New York

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Lesson: Memory is survival. Remember your people, your history, your truth, it keeps you rooted and strong.

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Marine mammals, especially matriarchs like orcas, pass knowledge across generations. Orcas teach their young how to survive through stories carried in behavior.

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/killer-whales-teach-young-to-hunt/32075/

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Expedition Killer Whale ~ Killer Whales Teach Young To Hunt | Nature | PBS

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The team films something not seen before: an hours-long teaching session between adults and their young. Killer whales are one of only a handful of animals that actively teach their young, and it’s the females that take on this duty, ensuring the survival of their families.

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Lesson: Learning comes from doing something repeatedly. Growth needs action.

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Lesson: Community and cooperation are survival strategies. We should all work together, we are not meant to live alone.

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Lesson: It's okay to be open and sensitive. Vulnerability creates intimacy.

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Lesson: Focus on this moment; its the only one we really have.

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Lesson: Stand up for yourself and your people. Defending your community, especially the vulnerable, is a powerful act of love and strength.

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Lesson: Conflict can be a path to deeper understanding, not just harm.

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Lesson:Respect boundaries. Touch and closeness should be based on trust and choice, not force.

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Lesson: Every part of you, even the small and quiet, holds knowledge.

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Lesson: Capitalism harms both marine life and human life. Reimagine how we live, consume, and share.

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Lesson: Refusing oppression is a continuous process. Keep resisting, even if the world tries to trap you again and again.

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Lesson: Surrendering is not weakness, it’s choosing to flow with what is sacred.

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Lesson: Explore your truths deeply.

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Lesson: Affirm Black identity and survival through love and creativity.

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Lesson: Even in hard times, we must find ways to rest. Rest is not a luxury, it’s necessary for survival and resistance.

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Lesson: You don’t have to earn rest, you need it to thrive.

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Lesson: Love across boundaries.

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Marine mammals rehearse skills like hunting, social bonding, and swimming with precision. Like how dolphins practice jumping.

https://dolphinworld.org/splashes-of-joy-the-art-and-science-of-dolphin-acrobatics-and-tricks/#:~:text=Dolphin%20acrobatics%20are%20a%20testament,their%20social%20bonds%20and%20coordination.

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Dolphin acrobatics and tricks - Dolphin World (800) 667-5524

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The Dolphin has incredible agility and capabilities of dolphins of their aquatic prowess for their acrobatics and tricks.

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Dolphins and whales move in pods, they survive and thrive in groups.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvv-5vgBXtY

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Thousands of dolphins swim together in California's Monterey Bay

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Seals depend on others, especially during breeding and pupping seasons. While they primarily live solitary lives, they gather in large groups for these reasons, and mothers also depend on other mothers for protection when raising their pups.

https://www.ifaw.org/journal/faqs-about-seals#:~:text=Seals%20live%20solo%2C%20except%20during,feeding%20to%20guard%20their%20territory.

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Seals are semi-aquatic mammals, also known as pinnipeds. These are the only marine mammals that feed in water and breed on land.

Like many aquatic animals, seals face several threats to their survival, including entanglement and commercial hunting.

IFAW is working to protect seals, marine ecosystems, and other wildlife around the world, creating a future where animals and people can thrive together. Working alongside local partners and communities, our marine conservation initiatives protect our oceans and the abundant biodiversity beneath the waves.

If you want to learn more about seals, you're in the right place. Here, we answer a host of FAQs about seals and dive into some incredible seal facts.

How many seal species are there?

There are 33 species of seals. These species vary in size and appearance, and they include:

Seal species generally fall into two categories: earless seals (also known as 'true seals') and eared seals.

Earless seals are members of the Phocidae family. They're called earless seals because they have no visible ear flaps, although they do still have ears.

Eared seals (which include sea lions and fur seals) are members of the Otariidae family. Eared seals have visible ear flaps and longer flippers than earless seals. Their fur is also more visible than the fur of earless seals.

Where do seals live?

Seals can be found worldwide, although many prefer to live in the colder waters of the Arctic and Antarctic oceans.

Some seal species live in the open ocean, while others prefer coastal waters and spend their time within easy reach of islands, beaches, or ice floes.

The Baikal seal is the only seal that doesn't live in seawater. This small seal lives in Russia in Siberia's freshwater Lake Baikal.

How big is a seal?

A seal's size depends on its species.

Baikal seals are the world's smallest seal species. They measure around 1.1 to 1.4 meters (3.6 to 4.6 feet) and weigh 50 to 130 kilograms (110 to 290 pounds).

Southern elephant seals, which are primarily found in the Antarctic Ocean, are the largest seals. They can reach 6.5 meters (21 feet) long and weigh up to 3,700 kilograms (8,150 pounds).

Male seals tend to be much larger than female seals. In fact, male elephant seals can weigh 8-10 times more than females, making elephant seals the most sexually dimorphic mammals on Earth.

How deep can seals dive?

Seals can dive deep into the ocean. Elephant seals have been known to swim to depths of around 2,400 meters (7,800 feet).

But like all other mammals, seals need to come to the ocean's surface to breathe. The elephant seal can stay underwater for around 100 minutes without taking a breath. This rivals the time between breaths for many whales.

What do seals eat?

Seals are carnivores, and they mainly eat fish. Some seals consume squid, molluscs, and crustaceans. Despite its name, the crabeater seal eats krill, not crabs. And unlike other seals, leopard seals feed on penguins, seabirds, fish, krill, and other seal species.

Seals are also prey for a variety of predators, including polar bears, orcas, and large sharks.

Seals' blubber serves multiple purposes

Seals don't need to eat every day. They have a layer of blubber that stores fat, allowing them to go for extended periods without eating. Their blubber also helps insulate them as they swim in cold waters and acts as a buoyancy aid.

Why do seals have whiskers?

Both seals and sea lions have lots of whiskers on their faces. The way they use their whiskers is similar to how cats use them. Seals' whiskers help them detect water vibrations, particularly those caused by swimming prey.

Galumphing: seals' movement on land

Seals are much more graceful in the water than they are on land. When seals move on land, it's called galumphing, and they move by flopping along on their bellies in an undulating motion, a bit like a caterpillar.

Seals' ancestors walked on land

There are fossil records indicating that the ancestors of the modern seal entered the ocean around 28 to 30 million years ago.

Scientists think that true seals, the family Phocidae, may have descended from a type of land-living weasel, whereas eared seals, the family Otariidae, may have descended from a bear-like ancestor.

What is a baby seal called?

A baby seal is called a pup. Female seals are pregnant for around 11 months, and they give birth to their pups on land, on sea ice, or in the water. Seals nurse their young with milk that is up to 50% fat, feeding their pups for up to a month until they're strong enough to swim independently.

Most seal mothers don't leave their pups during this period and don't eat anything themselves. Instead, they rely on their stores of blubber to survive.

Harbour seals, also known as common seals, are an exception. Mother harbour seals leave their pups on the shore to feed in the water. When they return to land, they identify their pup by scent. Harbour seal pups can also call to their mothers. They make a distinctive call that can be heard up to one kilometer (1,000 yards) away.

Some seals sleep while diving

Seals can sleep underwater as well as on land. In the water, they can sleep floating in a vertical position or floating horizontally near the surface.

While hunting at sea during a period that can last for up to eight months, elephant seals sleep for 10-minute bursts while performing deep, 30-minute dives. They spiral downwards while asleep and sometimes lie down to nap on the seafloor.

During this time at sea, seals average just two hours of sleep per day, but they make up for it when they're back on land. Out of the water, elephant seals can sleep for over 10 hours per day.

How do seals communicate?

Like other marine mammals, seals usually communicate vocally, using calls and whistles. Male grey seals also clap their flippers underwater during the breeding season to warn off other males and attract female mates.

Seals live solo, except during mating season

Seals tend to live solitary lives and are only seen in large numbers during pupping and mating seasons. During the mating season, many seals come to shore to breed. A group of seals is known as a colony.

Male seals-known as bulls-can be aggressive towards one another during this time. Because only a select few males get the right to breed, they fight for control of their territory and their females-known as cows.

They use vocalizations to intimidate other males. Elephant seal fights can be particularly violent and bloody. Males sometimes remain on land for months, forgoing feeding to guard their territory.

Seals live much of their lives on land

Seals are semi-aquatic, meaning they spend part of their lives in water and part of their lives on land. The process of coming ashore is called 'hauling out'.

Seals rest on land to regulate their body temperature, breed, give birth, and nurse their young. They sometimes come onto land to escape aquatic predators, like orca whales and sharks.

Some seals also spend a lot of time on land when they moult. This is when they shed their old fur, replacing it with a healthy, shiny new coat. Seals moult once a year, usually after the pupping season.

What do you do if you find a seal on a beach?

Seals are wild animals and should not be approached for your safety and theirs. They are not naturally friendly to humans. Seals have sharp teeth and strong jaws and will bite if they feel threatened.

Experts recommend that you observe seals, on land or at sea, from a distance of at least 46 meters (150 feet), and if you have a dog with you, you should keep it on a leash.

Seals spend time on land to rest, suckle their young, and digest their food. So, if you disturb them, you can interrupt these processes and cause them unnecessary stress.

Remember that seals spend a lot of time on land-and most species spend time alone. Some seals even leave their newborn pups on a beach while they search for food, so there's every chance a baby seal is just waiting for its mother to return.

Also, remember that seals do not need to always be wet. They regularly spend days on land to take a break from swimming and warm up in the sun.

But sometimes, a seal on a beach may need help. Entanglement in fishing gear and marine litter is a big threat to seals. If you are worried about a seal on a beach, call a local stranding response organization rather than approaching the animal yourself. You can talk to a marine mammal responder about the sighting, and they can help determine whether the seal is stranded and in need of help or whether it's safe to leave the animal alone.

Are seals endangered?

Both the Japanese sea lion and the Caribbean monk seal became categorized as extinct in the 1980s and 1990s, having had no confirmed sightings for the past 50 years. Six total seal species are currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List:

Galápagos fur seals

Hawaiian monk seals

New Zealand sea lions

Caspian seals

Australian sea lions

Galápagos sea lions

There are only about 632 Hawaiian monk seals remaining in the wild.

Seals face a number of threats in the wild, including commercial hunting. Historically, seals have been hunted for their meat, fur, and blubber-and they are still hunted in some countries, including Canada.

Fishing also poses risks to seals. They can become entangled in discarded fishing gear and caught by fishermen as bycatch.

Warming temperatures is another big threat, particularly for seal species that rely on sea ice. Melting sea ice causes seal pups to be separated from their mothers too soon. It also puts seals at greater risk from predators.

How can you help IFAW protect seals?

IFAW was founded on the mission of ending the commercial seal hunt in Canada. We travelled to the ice to observe and document the annual slaughter, bringing international media, politicians, and veterinary experts with us to observe the cruelty first-hand. Since then, our work has helped bring about monumental changes like the 2009 EU ban on seal products. This ban saved over one million newborn seals in the following 10 years. We continue to urge the Government of Canada to adopt sustainable alternatives to the commercial seal hunt to support the economy and local communities while protecting seals.

On Cape Cod, our Marine Mammal Rescue & Research team is revolutionizing how we rescue seals. One method to rescue entangled seals, developed in partnership with The Marine Mammal Center in California, involves using a sedative dart with a specialized tracker embedded, which enables our team to capture, disentangle, and treat seals. We can minimize the suffering of seals, release them back to the ocean, and share our expertise with marine mammal rescue networks worldwide. We also promote coexistence with seals by working with communities to ensure that beachgoers can appreciate the animals at a safe and healthy distance, minimizing additional human impact.
Help IFAW end the commercial seal hunt in Canada. Sign the petition >>

every problem has a solution, every solution needs support.

The problems we face are urgent, complicated, and resistant to change. Real solutions demand creativity, hard work, and involvement from people like you.

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Discover fascinating facts about seals. What do seals eat? Why do seals have whiskers? How deep can seals dive? All that and more in our FAQ about seals.

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Dolphins often cluster into smaller sub-groups, paying attention to each other's positions and surfacing times, demonstrating their attentiveness. They must constantly pay attention to survive.

https://www.wilddolphinproject.org/dolphin-social-lives-and-relationships/#:~:text=The%20Emotional%20Depth%20of%20Dolphin%20Relationships%20Dolphins,members%20and%20close%20companions%2C%20strengthening%20their%20relationships.

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When most people think of dolphins, the first thing that comes to mind is their playful nature, often depicted in movies or documentaries. And to counter that, news articles also like to focus on a darker side of dolphins, sensationalizing their aggressive behavior to grab attention. You know, "dolphins aren't as friendly as they seem." But here's the truth: dolphins are deeply social mammals with complex relationships that last decades-bonding in ways we're still working to understand.

Denise Herzing, Ph.D., founder and director of the Wild Dolphin Project, is a prominent marine biologist and researcher who has dedicated decades to studying wild dolphins in the Bahamas. Along with her team of colleagues, research assistants, and graduate students, Denise has explored the social dynamics of Atlantic spotted dolphins, including the relationships between mothers and and male alliances.

To study and analyze social structure, researchers use the coefficient of association, a measure used to quantify the degree of association or relationship between individuals in a social group, such as dolphins, within a specific context. In the study of dolphin social structure, the coefficient of association helps researchers understand how frequently or closely certain individuals interact with each other compared to how they interact with others in the group. In simpler terms, it indicates how likely two dolphins are to associate or form bonds based on their interactions over a given period.

The coefficient can range from:

0 (no association) - meaning the two dolphins never interact.

1 (complete association) - meaning the two dolphins are always seen together.

To calculate it, researchers typically track the frequency and duration of interactions, like physical contact, vocalizations, or proximity in the group. The higher the coefficient of association, the stronger the social bond between the dolphins.

Understanding Dolphin Social Bonds: From Mother-Calf Connections to Male Alliances

In many dolphin populations, including Atlantic spotted dolphins in the Bahamas, bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida and Monkey Mia Bay in Australia, and orcas in various regions, the strongest bond is typically between a mother and her calf. This connection is crucial for the calf's survival, as the mother provides not only nourishment but also vital lessons about social behavior, hunting, and navigating the environment. The bond usually remains strong for the first few years of the calf's life, but it begins to weaken when the mother has a new calf, typically after 3.5 years. This shift occurs as the mother's attention focuses on the new offspring, and the older calf becomes more independent. However, if the mother does not have another calf, the bond with her first calf often remains strong, with the juvenile continuing to rely on the mother for social learning and protection.

The next strongest relationship is between adult males, male-male alliances. Stable and long-lasting male-male alliances are observed in several mammal species, including lions, cheetahs, chimpanzees, and of course, various populations of bottlenose dolphins and spotted dolphins. These alliances can help the males survive and reproduce in different ways, such as by reducing the risk of being attacked by predators, offering protection, guarding mates, improving success in fights with rivals, and making hunting more efficient. In bottlenose dolphins, these male partnerships help with things like fighting, herding, and finding food and Denise has seem span decades.

The long-term processes behind the formation of social bonds in male dolphins are not fully understood. To explore how these bonds develop, a group of researchers tracked 59 male dolphins over 14 years as they grew from adolescence to adulthood. By examining their genetic relationships and social connections, they found, in a study published in the journal Behavioral Ecology, that most of the bonds formed during adolescence continued into adulthood. While being related influenced associations in adolescence, adult males tended to form bonds with others of similar age. This suggests that peer relationships, rather than family ties, are more important in the development of adult male alliances in dolphins.

References and further reading:

https://academic.oup.com/jmammal/article/103/6/1290/6645508

https://www.wilddolphinproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Coeff-of-Assoc-97.pdf

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32210525/

https://www.livescience.com/animals/orcas/grieving-orca-mom-carries-dead-calf-around-on-her-head-for-a-2nd-time

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When most people think of dolphins, the first thing that comes to mind is their playful nature, often depicted in movies or documentaries. And to counter that, news articles also like to focus on a darker side of dolphins, sensationalizing their aggressive behavior to grab attention.

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Orcas are protective and strong, especially the matriarchs who lead with purpose.

https://www.eagleeyeadventures.com/blog/how-do-orcas-defend-themselves-tactics-adaptations-explained#:~:text=Orcas'%20Physical%20Strength%20and%20Size,necessary%2C%20fight%20off%20potential%20threats.

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Jos KrynenPresident at Krynen Holdings and Eagle Eye Adventures

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How Do Orcas Defend Themselves? Tactics & Adaptations Explained

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Learn how orcas use their strength, intelligence, and social bonds to defend themselves in the ocean, making them resilient apex predators.

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Whales slap their tails or bodies during disputes but also return to peace.

https://whalewatchwesternaustralia.com/why-do-whales-tail-slap/#:~:text=There%20are%20a%20few%20reasons,the%20communication%20is%20all%20about.

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Why do Whales Tail Slap? | Whale Watch Western Australia

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There are a few reasons whales tail slap but the main reason is to warn off predation or over bearing males &/or females. It is a defensive action and…

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Interacting with marine mammals without consent can disrupt their natural behaviors and social structures.

https://www.ifaw.org/journal/faqs-about-seals#:~:text=Seals%20live%20much%20of%20their%20lives%20on%20land&text=Seals%20rest%20on%20land%20to,on%20land%20when%20they%20moult.

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Discover fascinating facts about seals. What do seals eat? Why do seals have whiskers? How deep can seals dive? All that and more in our FAQ about seals.

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Walruses have sensitive whiskers that help them survive in the dark.

https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2016/05/19/10-things-to-know-about-the-walrus/#:~:text=Walruses%20are%20able%20to%20locate,contact%20with%20an%20appropriate%20food.

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10 Things to Know About the Walrus - Ocean Conservancy

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When you think of the walrus, you may picture their tusks—but there is so much more to these “elephants of the sea”! Here are some facts about walruses.

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Fishing, oil drilling, and climate change threaten dolphins and whales alike.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-life-distress/sea-turtles-dolphins-and-whales-10-years-after-deepwater-horizon-oil#:~:text=During%20response%20activities%20and%20surveys,the%20Deepwater%20Horizon%20oil%20spill?

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Sea Turtles, Dolphins, and Whales - 10 Years after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

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Deepwater Horizon Oil SpillThe 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill adversely affected wildlife throughout the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), including marine mammals, sea turtles, birds, fish, and invertebrates.

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A dolphin named Sampal escaped captivity and reunited with her pod after years, exemplifying resistance and the desire for freedom.

https://usa.oceana.org/blog/dolphin-escapes-pen-reunite-her-pod-after-years-captivity/

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Dolphin Escapes Pen to Reunite with Her Pod After Years in Captivity

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We always knew that dolphins were incredible, but this story made our jaws drop – a dolphin, captured and held in captivity for several years, escaped from her pen and reunited with her pod. The dolphin, named Sampal, was accidentally caught by fishermen off Jeju Island, near South Korea, as reported by the environmental blog ... Read more

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Whales dive deep, giving in to the pressure with grace.

https://whalescientists.com/whales-deepest-diving-mammals/#:~:text=Can%20they%20handle%20the%20pressure,the%20risk%20of%20the%20bends.

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How did whales become the world’s deepest-diving mammals?

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Cuvier’s beaked whales broke the world’s record. They are the deepest diving whales. Let’s dive into the world of whales’ diving adaptations.

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Sea lions and elephant seals dive deep into the ocean, away from shallow noise.

https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/news/how-deep-do-elephant-seals-dive-and-other-ocean-trivia

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How Deep Do Elephant Seals Dive? And Other Ocean Trivia | The Marine Mammal Center

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From how deep elephant seals dive to how humpback whales vocalize, test your knowledge of marine mammals with this ocean trivia.

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Whales and dolphins sleep by shutting down one half of their brain at a time, allowing them to rest while remaining alert to their surroundings.

https://us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/how-do-whales-and-dolphins-sleep/#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20researchers%20believe,of%20their%20day%20in%20slumber.

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Just like us, w hales and dolphins, need sleep to survive . F or animal s who spend their entire lives in the water, you may have wondered , how do they sleep without drowning?
Humans are involuntary breathers because our breathing is automatically controlled by our brainstem. This means that we breathe without thinking about it and breathe automatically even when we fall asleep!

Whales are voluntary breathers meaning they must think about taking each breath. If they were to fall completely asleep, their brain would rest but they would drown without their brain reminding them to breathe! Instead, they have a fascinating adaptation known as 'unihemispheric sleep'. To be able to sleep, whales shut down half of their brain at a time. Being partially awake allows them to continue breathing and be aware of their surroundings.

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Just like us, w hales and dolphins, need sleep to survive . F or animal s who spend their entire lives in the water, you may have wondered , how do they sleep without drowning? Humans are involuntary breathers because our breathing is automatically controlled by our brainstem.

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Sea mammals sleep on the ocean’s surface or floating together in stillness.

https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/marine-mammals/whales#:~:text=Whales%20will%20also%20rest%20in,and%20resemble%20a%20floating%20log.

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Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History

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What is the difference between whales and dolphins? Everything you could want to know about these amazing cetaceans.

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Dolphins adopt orphans of other species.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/researchers-document-first-known-instance-dolphin-mom-adopting-whale-calf-180972769/

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Until recently, the only scientifically documented case of interspecies adoption among wild mammals dated to 2006, when primatologist Patrícia Izar spotted a group of capuchin monkeys raising a baby marmoset as one of their own.

Now, a new study published in the journal offers a second example of the rare phenomenon. As Erica Tennenhouse reports for National Geographic, scientists led by Pamela Carzon of the Groupe d'Étude des Mammifères Marins (GEMM) de Polynésie observed a bottlenose dolphin caring for a young melon-headed whale over a period of more than three years. This apparent adoption, unusual in and of itself, was made all the more striking by the fact that the bottlenose already had a biological baby; typically, dolphin mothers only care for one calf at a time.

The intimate interspecies relationship began when the male calf was roughly one month old and ended when he presumably weaned in April 2018. Interestingly, Carzon and her colleagues note, the dolphin mother's attachment to her adopted son endured long beyond her bond with the slightly older biological daughter. This bottlenose baby, born around September 2014, lived alongside its mother and whale sibling for a year and half before abruptly vanishing-perhaps indicative of an early death or, on a more positive note, a shift to a different social subgroup.

Per the study, the melon-headed calf actively competed for his mother's attention, repeatedly pushing his adoptive sister out of her place below the dolphin's abdomen. Whereas the female bottlenose regularly socialized with peers prior to disappearing, the male rarely left his mother's side. Still, eager to ingratiate himself into both the family unit and the wider dolphin community, he later adopted bottlenose behaviors such as surfing, jumping and socializing with other young males.

"It is very difficult to explain such behavior, especially since we have no information on how the melon-headed whale newborn was separated from his natural mother," Carzon says in a video published by GEMM Polynésie.

Female bottlenoses have been known to kidnap calves of other species-likely in an attempt to foster unfulfilled maternal instincts-but such relationships rarely last. Given the fact that the mother in question already had her own biological offspring, it's unlikely she personally kidnapped the whale calf. Instead, Carzon explains in the video, the dolphin may have adopted the calf after another female kidnapped but lost interest in him.

Kirsty MacLeod, a behavioral ecologist at Sweden's Lund University who was not involved in the new research, tells National Geographic 's Tennenhouse that the mother, seen nursing the calf on two occassions, appeared to be highly invested in his well-being.

MacLeod adds, "In mammals, synthesizing milk is very costly-it's a very precious resource."

The unexpected attachment likely stemmed from a surprisingly straightforward series of events: A persistent, seemingly orphaned calf latched onto a tolerant, curious dolphin whose recent birthing experience had sparked her maternal instincts, and the pair hit it off.

"Most likely, it was just a perfect moment for this calf to come along, when [the mother] was at a very receptive period to forming those bonds with her own offspring," MacLeod says, "and it led to this slightly wacky situation."

Rather than rejecting the whale or displaying aggression toward him, the dolphin-already known for tolerating scuba divers in the area-simply adapted to the change in circumstances. The male calf, meanwhile, showed a marked determination to integrate himself within the bottlenose group.

As Carzon concludes, "The young melon-headed whale was certainly the main initiator of this adoption, [but] the mother's remarkably permissive personality could have played a crucial role in the process."

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Researchers Document First Known Case of Dolphin Mom Adopting Whale Calf

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Until recently, the only scientifically documented case of interspecies adoption among wild mammals dated to 2006, when primatologist Patrícia Izar spotted a group of capuchin monkeys raising a baby marmoset as one of their own. Now, a new study published in the journal offers a second example of the rare phenomenon.

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Melon-headed whale reflect Black brilliance and resilience.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/melon-headed-whale

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Melon-headed whales are robust small whales found primarily in deep, tropical waters worldwide. They are social animals and often occur in groups of hundreds to over 1,000 individuals. Learn more about the melon-headed whale.