We might picture dolphins as the excitable younger cousin to the cool, composed humpback whale, but it seems these two species might have a budding friendship after all.
In fact, new suction-camera footage from humpback whales shows the depths dolphins will go to in order to hang out with their marine companions. The whales are followed by bottlenose dolphins from the sunlit surface down to the ocean floor, where they swim and play side-by-side.
Social behaviour between whales and dolphins is rarely studied, but new research from Griffith University in Australia shows that in many cases, the species engage in friendly play – sometimes one-sided, sometimes reciprocal (with dolphins unsurprisingly showing a little more enthusiasm).
A study led by Dr Olaf Meynecke, Griffith University’s Whales & Climate Programme lead, analysed 199 separate interactions documented on camera and film by the public, tourism operators and scientists from 17 locations around the world. They showed 19 species, from humpback whales and fin whales to bottlenose dolphins and Pacific white-sided dolphins.
Meynecke found that a quarter of these interactions could be defined as mutual – and most of the rest were at least polite nods, rather than cold shoulders.
“The vast majority of the observed interactions did not show avoidance behaviour,” said Meynecke.
Humpback whales were shown to be particularly friendly with dolphins, with a third of their behavioural responses deemed to be positive.
“The humpback whales were rolling from side to side, undertaking belly presentation and other behaviours associated with courtship or friendly socialising,” said Meynecke. They showed the lowest count of possible aggressive responses towards dolphins, such as tail slaps and other percussive behaviours.
The most common whale-dolphin interaction involved dolphins cruising near the whale’s rostrum (the beak or snout), much like bow riding – where dolphins surf the pressure wave created by the bow (front) of a moving boat.
It’s a free ride, so saves them some energy, and is perhaps just another example of dolphins enjoying a bit of solo fun.
“Behavioural studies of marine mammals such as these provide insight into their complex social structures, play a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of marine ecosystems and the interactions among marine species,” said Meynecke.
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