Dolphin Tales: Dolphin parenting
A book called, “The Dolphin Way,” written by a Harvard-trained child and adult psychiatrist on how to raise your children modeled after dolphin parenting, is available in any online bookstore. The premise is that the dolphin parenting style is firm but flexible, has rules and expectations, but also values creativity and independence. I always knew dolphin moms were extraordinary.
In caring for her calf, mother dolphins stay close by as the baby rides in mom’s “slipstream,” the hydrodynamic wake that develops as the mother swims. As the baby dolphin rides in the slipstream, it is able to nurse from the mother. Female dolphins have two inverted nipples that sit within its mammary slits, near the belly. When a calf is ready to nurse, it places its beak into the slit to form a firm latch all the way around the inverted teat. With that stimulation, mom voluntarily ejects milk.
Dolphin moms are excellent caretakers and will typically lend a fin when needed. Female dolphins become grandmothers at around age 40, and tend to their grandchildren in ways that humans do.
Living in pods that can number a dozen or more females, dolphins are intensely social. Moms form playgroups and even nurse for each other. They communicate with squeaks, whistles and clicks. Each mom has a signature whistle that she uses to call her calf. Each calf knows her mother’s whistle.
Males rarely take part in rearing calves. Dolphins are not monogamous, so males will mate with as many females as possible. The mating act is very brief, and once pregnant, the female goes back to her mother. Females may stay with their mother their entire life. When you see the larger pods swimming, it is typically the moms and the kids. Males leave the nursing pod between 3 and 6 years old and form life-long bonds with others males.
Capt. Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating in our local waters. As a professional charter captain she specializes in dolphin and nature tours. Visit CaptainCathy.com or call 239 994-2572.