Dolphin Tales: Multi-purpose tail slapping
Running charters out of Tarpon Lodge to Cabbage Key, I witness our local Pine Island Sound bottlenose dolphins routinely slapping their tails above the water just about anywhere. Sometimes it is quite forceful and loud, and other times it is a gentle slap. It can be just one slap or repetitive slaps. It is quite intriguing because it seems they use the tail slap for a variety of reasons.
Understanding the use of the tail slap helps us understand dolphin behavior and their ways of communicating. Tail slapping serves multiple purposes including communication, hunting, dominance and play. The tail slap is used to stun fish making them easier to catch. It is a way of communicating with pod members and also expresses playfulness.
Dolphins use a forceful slap and a rather gentle slap. A gentle tail slap may be a way to get the attention of another dolphin or to indicate a change of direction in swimming. A single loud slap or a series of firm slaps may be a warning to other dolphins of danger. Dolphins also use the tail slap to stun fish. It is like a shockwave that makes fish easier to catch.
A mother dolphin may use the tail slap near or on top of her calf as a way of reprimanding and teaching. Dolphin mothers are highly protective and nurturing of their young. Dolphin calves stay with their mothers for 3-6 years and nurse up to 3 years.
Moms shield the calves from potential dangers like predators and use the tail slap as a warning.
Tail slapping may also be a way for dolphins to express anger or frustration. Frequently, dolphins, especially in captivity, use repetitive tail slapping as a sign of frustration. It is a stress response in a confined and stressful environment. They also slap their head or the underside of their body against the water to express frustration.
Our intelligent bottlenose dolphins routinely engage in negotiation. This negotiation often involves tail slaps. The slaps are used to communicate a range of emotions from gentle affection to warning and, occasionally, anger. One form of negotiation involving tail slaps occurs when two bonded bull buddies (males) synchronize their slaps as double warning to rival bulls during courtship activities. When groups of male and female dolphins are assembling and negotiating important social interactions, there is a lot of tail slapping going on.
Our local bottlenose dolphins watch each other and imitate or match each other in social situations that call for communicating on a united front. Courting couples as well as bonded bulls act in unison to communicate on a united front. Tail slapping is used as a territorial behavior to assert dominance and warn others to back off to maintain the social order. This behavior is particularly used among male dolphins.
Captain Cathy Eagle has spent over 40 years boating on our local waters. As a professional charter captain, she specializes in dolphin and nature tours. Visit CaptainCathy.com or call /text 239 994-2572. Welcome aboard!