A new study challenges a long-held theory about bottlenose dolphins in the Mediterranean, revealing that they are divided by offshore and coastal ecotypes rather than being split into east and west populations. “We thought that there was a general east-west split in their populations based on quite old genetic techniques that wouldn’t be used nowadays,” […]
Tag: dolphins
Ocean’s most powerful, ruthless killers: The world’s top 9 marine predators that rule the waves
In the ocean, everything relies on tiny plankton.These provide nutrients for animals at the bottom of the food web which are eaten by larger species, and so on. At the top of the food chain, large predators (often with huge teeth) have perfected their hunting strategies for millennia, giving them the best possible chance to […]
10 fastest swimmers in the ocean, including one animal that can accelerate to nearly 80MPH quicker than a Porsche
Some species in the ocean live their lives at a breakneck pace – at least, when they need to. Whether it’s to catch their dinner or avoid becoming dinner, many animals can swim incredibly quickly. But which are the fastest? Of course, it’s almost impossible to know exactly how fast a fish can swim, as […]
Lethal dose of plastic for seabirds and marine animals ‘much smaller than expected’
New research has found that even small amounts of plastic can be deadly to seabirds, sea turtles and marine mammals. While previous research has established that plastic can lead to mortality in many species, this new study identifies the types and amounts of plastic that pose the greatest danger, and estimates how likely an animal […]
Watch hungry gannets performing death-defying, perilous dives at breakneck speeds to catch food – where one small mistake can lead to death
As summer approaches, gannets face a perilous challenge: their primary food source, sardines, migrate far out to sea off the coast of South Africa. When dolphins hunt sardines, their herding drives the fish toward the surface, creating a reachable target for gannets. The birds dive from above, taking advantage of the sardines trapped near the […]
Haunting new study reveals why hundreds of dolphins were found dead in Amazon lake
Scientists have finally discovered why hundreds of dolphins mysteriously washed up dead on the shores of an Amazon lake. Dangerously high temperatures in Brazil’s Lake Tefé led the sea mammals to practically boil to death. Scientist Ayan Fleischmann and his colleagues discovered that an extreme heat wave and severe drought in 2023 skyrocketed the lake’s […]
Dolphin seen near St Mark’s Square inspires Venetian rescue effort
Activists in Venice are campaigning to save a dolphin spotted in the lagoon over fears growing tourist interest could put its life at risk. Known as Mimmo, the bottlenose dolphin made its latest appearance in St Mark’s basin, the body of water in front of the square of the same name, on Wednesday. The dolphin […]
Mexico Ends Captive Dolphin Shows in Landmark Animal Welfare Move
Mexico just made a massive splash for animals everywhere. The country has officially banned the use of marine mammals like dolphins, sea lions, and orcas in entertainment, marking a historic win for compassion and Conservation. According to Humane World for Animals Mexico, the new law—approved unanimously by the Mexican Chamber of Deputies—puts an end to […]