whales and dolphins would have unsuspected social ties

On earth, inter-species encounters often surprise. However, But under the waves, they remain rare to observe … Therefore, so far. A recent study reveals that whales and dolphins regularly interactaccording to videos collected over two decades. Therefore, These complex social exchanges challenge our understanding of their behavior.

Aquatic game scenes reveal a much richer sociality than expected – Whales dolphins would have unsuspected

Thanks to various sources. Moreover, tourist videos, images on Instagram, YouTube or Facebook, and even cameras fixed on humpback whales, researchers have analyzed 199 interactions listed between 19 species In 17 pays. For example, It is an unprecedented database that allows a broader look at inter-species behavior.

The main. meetings involved Bump whales (approximately 68 %) against common dolphins (almost 51 %). Among the behaviors observed: bow games, rolls, caresses or even underwater monitoring. Some videos even show dolphins swimming in synchronization around the head or whale sides.

A quarter of the interactions were classified as truly mutualwhile in humpback whales dolphins would have unsuspected whales. almost a third of the cases mentioned a positive response to the advances of dolphins. These behaviors exceed simple fortuitous contacts: they reveal repeated exchanges, sometimes almost ritualized.

Initiation, play and complicity behaviors between species – Whales dolphins would have unsuspected

Videos emphasize that more often than we thought, Dolphins initiate contact with whales. They approach them, touch them, or swim around their heads in gestures similar to real social games. Sometimes they even accompany them to the seabed, now a constant visual or bodily contact.

Whale reactions are not passive. They roll, expose their belly, or interact underwater by turning gently towards the dolphins. These whales dolphins would have unsuspected exchanges evoke a willingness to contact, even complicitysuggesting forms of shared pleasure or social cooperation.

Contrary to what we thought before, these behaviors are neither rare nor accidental. On the contrary, they seem frequent, spontaneous and carrying a social meaning. The low frequency of aggressive gestures (less than 5 %) confirms this hypothesis.

Deep implications on cognition. marine animal culture

These observations jostle our classical vision: they suggest that whales and dolphins have a form of Inter-species social vocabulary. Interactions recall certain game and communication practices observed in primates or young humans.

The use of science participativevia social networks. has revealed so far invisible behaviors. Although this method has biases, it completes classic surveys and reveals an unexpected behavioral wealth.

To deepen, researchers recommend integrating acoustic recordslonger follow -ups and specific analyzes. These future studies could whales dolphins would have unsuspected explain whether these interactions are fun, cooperation or social learning.

Marine cohabitation revealing an unexpected social intelligence

Whales. dolphins are not content to share the same waters: They are actively looking for, interact regularly and weave deep and sometimes ritualized ties. These behaviors demonstrate a social complexity which largely exceeds the simple animal instinct.

Thanks to the support of new technologieslike drones. on -board cameras, as well as science participativenew windows are opening up to marine interactions. These are powerful tools to observe behaviors that conventional methods would probably have ignored.

We are rediscovering marine mammalsno longer like simple majestic creatures, but as beings with advanced emotional, social and cognitive capacities. Their interactions transform our understanding of oceanic life, and lay the foundations for a new vision of animal whales dolphins would have unsuspected culture.