A groundbreaking new study led by Dr. Olaf Meynecke from Griffith University’s Whales & Climate Program sheds unprecedented light on the complex social dynamics between baleen whales and dolphins. By meticulously analyzing nearly two hundred independent interactions, documented through videos and photographs collected from scientists, tourism operators, and the general public, this research provides the most comprehensive insight to date into whether whales and dolphins genuinely engage in mutual play or if these encounters are predominantly one-sided. Published recently in the journal Discover Animals, the study reveals fascinating behavioral nuances that challenge prior assumptions about these cetaceans’ interactions.
The investigation involved a diverse dataset covering 19 species across 17 geographically distinct locations worldwide. Through a detailed assessment of 199 separate events, the research team identified that approximately one-quarter of these interactions were genuinely mutual, involving reciprocal social or playful behavior. This finding counters the long-held belief that dolphins primarily harass or exploit the larger whales. Notably, for humpback whales, nearly one-third of observed encounters featured positive behavioral responses to the dolphins, including active engagement and displays suggestive of social bonding.
Humpback whales, which accounted for the majority of the documented interactions, exhibited several intriguing behaviors indicative of social openness. These activities included rolling side to side and belly presentation, gestures often interpreted as courtship or friendly socializing within marine mammal communities. Moreover, the whales appeared to strategically approach dolphins, maneuvering their heads and rostrums in ways that suggest a deliberate intention to interact, rather than evade or ignore. Importantly, avoidance behaviors were seldom observed, further underscoring the potential for genuine social connection between these species.
In contrast to assumptions that dolphins are persistent pests during their encounters with whales, the research highlights a complex interplay characterized by nuanced behavioral signaling. Co-author Olivia Crawley emphasized the unique opportunity these observational studies provide to unravel the subtleties of interspecies communication. Through the careful cataloging of behavioral patterns, including characteristic dolphin acts such as bow riding and gentle physical contact, the study offers a foundational platform for future investigations into the sociobiology of marine mammals.
The researchers took a comprehensive approach to data collection, documenting parameters such as species identity, interaction location, temporal context, the number and age class of individuals involved, and the precise spatial relationship between dolphins and various whale body parts, including the rostrum, flanks, and flukes. This granularity allowed for a deeper understanding of the behavioral ecology at play. Bow riding, where dolphins swim near the whale’s rostrum, emerged as the most prevalent form of interaction. This behavior is believed to confer energetic benefits for the dolphins, leveraging the hydrodynamic wake generated by the whale and thus potentially representing a form of one-sided play or opportunistic behavior.
Within the compiled dataset, the baleen whales included six species, prominently dominated by humpbacks at 68%, followed by grey whales at 16%, and fin whales comprising 7%. The observers recorded an estimated total of 1,570 dolphins, with bottlenose dolphins forming the majority (51%), alongside common dolphins (17%) and Pacific wide-sided dolphins (15%). An intriguing aspect was the presence of juvenile animals, with calves of both species included in several events, suggesting these interactions may have developmental or social learning components.
Individual whale species exhibited distinct behavioral patterns in response to dolphins. Humpback whales frequently moved their pectoral fins towards the dolphins—a potential invitation for interaction or a tactile communication method—while grey whales were more often observed rolling. Southern right whales displayed pectoral slaps in half of the few documented events. Aggressive responses such as tail slaps, a known antagonistic behavior, were comparatively scarce, particularly among humpback whales, indicating that aggression is not a predominant feature of these encounters.
A spectacular new insight emerged from two videos obtained via suction camera tags affixed to humpback whales. These high-resolution, close-proximity recordings revealed dolphins accompanying humpbacks not only at the surface but extending their interactions to the ocean floor. This continuous and intimate association hints at a degree of social play or cooperative behavior hitherto undocumented in such depth and complexity. The possibility of dolphins and whales engaging in tactile social play underwater represents a cutting-edge frontier in marine ethology.
Dr. Meynecke pointed out that social play among marine mammals often entails mutual cooperation and reciprocity. However, the study also distinguishes cases of one-sided play, where only one species appears to engage in playful behavior, while the other might be indifferent or even annoyed—such as dolphins teasing whales during feeding events. This duality enriches our understanding of cetacean social interaction, encompassing both cooperative and competitive elements within these interspecies engagements.
From a broader ecological perspective, the study underscores the importance of behavioral research in revealing the embedded complexity of marine ecosystems. The interactions between baleen whales and dolphins not only provide insight into their social structures but also impact energetic dynamics and habitat use patterns. These findings could inform conservation strategies by illustrating how species coexist and influence each other within shared environments, emphasizing the need for integrated ecosystem management approaches.
The extensive collaboration between scientists, citizen scientists, and tourism operators underscores the value of multidisciplinary and multi-source data aggregation in advancing marine mammal research. By leveraging hundreds of publicly sourced videos and photographs alongside scientific observations, the study exemplifies a modern approach to behavioral ecology that is inclusive and scalable. This methodological innovation paves the way for future advances in understanding complex animal behaviors in the wild, particularly those that occur underwater and are difficult to observe directly.
Finally, the researchers hope their work ignites further interest and studies exploring the multifaceted social lives of marine mammals. Beyond expanding academic knowledge, these revelations captivate the public imagination by portraying whales and dolphins not just as distant oceanic giants but as socially sophisticated beings engaging in behaviors reminiscent of play and friendship. Such narratives are vital in fostering public support for conservation and marine ecosystem protection, amplifying the cultural and scientific value of these charismatic species.
Subject of Research: Social behavior and interactions between baleen whales (Mysticeti) and dolphins (Delphinidae)
Article Title: Assessing social behaviour between baleen whales (Mysticeti) and dolphins (Delphinidae)
Web References:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s44338-025-00099-2
Image Credits: Olaf Meynecke
Keywords: baleen whales, dolphins, cetacean interactions, humpback whales, marine mammal behavior, social play, bow riding, mutualism, marine ecology, behavioral study, suction camera tags, interspecies interaction
