DOLPHIN COMMUNICATION

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

burst pulse

Rapid click trains used during foraging and socializing behaviors

whistles

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

Check out how scientists analyze dolphin communication!

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