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Dolphin Communication

Superpod of Dolphins

 

Roughtooth dolphins

Dolphins live in fission-fusion societies – meaning size and composition of groups change as time passes and animals move throughout their environment.

Acoustic communication allows dolphins to signal each other over vast distances or when they are out of view.

Using acoustic cues, dolphins are able to coordinate group formations, movement and transmit information. There are 3 primary types of vocal cues: clicks, burst pulse, whistles.

 

Types of Dolphin Sounds

 
Clicks
 

Broadband pulses generally used for echolocation

Broadband pulses generally used for echolocation

 
Burst Pulse
 

Rapid click trains used during foraging and socializing behaviors

Rapid click trains used during foraging and socializing behaviors

 
Whistles
 

Frequency-modulated tones used for contact calls and during socializing behaviors

Frequency-modulated tones used for contact calls and during socializing behaviors

 

Check out how scientists analyze dolphin communication!