http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/130123-sperm-whale-dolphin-adopted-animal-science/
-Abby Rechkin
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The Unlikely Companionship of a Deformed Dolphin and a Whale Family
You always hear about the unlikely friendships made between two different species. Whether it is a dog and cat, or a leopard and a baboon, cross species interactions are actually quite frequent. However, recently near the Azores, a group of sperm whales have included a bottle nose dolphin with a spine deformity. This is the first time a companionship between these two species has been observed. Some scientists think that the dolphin is clinging to this group because it wants to ride the pressure waves caused by the whales. Others believe that because of its deformity, the dolphin could not keep up with its own group. Therefore, it decided to join the whale group because of their slow pace. A behavioral ecologist, Alexander Wilson, believes that the whale group accepted the innocuous dolphin because it could stay near the surface and watch their calves. One NOS theme is that science is collaborative. There have been many reasons why the deformed dolphin joined the whale group including that the dolphin couldn't keep up with its own group and that it used the whales for bow riding. Another NOS theme is that the people who researched this phenomenon have a role of credibility. This is definitely true because Alexander Wilson and Jens Krause, who contributed to this article, are behavioral ecologists. Also marine biologist, John Francis, contributed to this article explaining that animals long for the company of others. Lastly, a theme is that science is debatable and tentative. All of the reasons provided for why the dolphin joined the whales are theories and the scientists don't know the exact reason for this behavioral oddity.
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I find it very cool how these two species don't have a history of interacting with each other and were a peculiar and rare discovery. They have seemed to pick up a mutualistic relationship where they both benefit from each other. The whales get somewhat of a babysitter for their calves and the dolphins get a group they can keeep up with due to their deformity. It's very strange and intriguing how species can so easily pick up these raltionships that help them live a beneficial, easier life.
ReplyDeleteI found this video of the whales and dolphins interacting and thought it was cool to actually see it with my own eyes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iFzIMZRsoI
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112771040/sperm-whales-adopt-bottlenose-dolphin-012513/
Aww! That is so interesting and cute. It's fascinating to hear about relationships between species and how they help each other to survive, like the many stories about dolphins saving humans from sharks and such. It makes you wonder if animals are sympathetic toward one another or if it's just instinct. I once read an article about a deer taking care of a duckling, which I also thought was extremely interesting and unusual. This article however I would think is more common, since whales and dolphins are such similar species! Anyway, thanks for posting this, it was nice to read about it.
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