Dolphins are often celebrated for their intelligence, and it’s well earned. These marine mammals possess large brains relative to their body size and show advanced problem-solving skills, memory, and even self-awareness. In the wild, they use tools like sea sponges to protect their snouts while foraging and have been observed passing on hunting techniques, hinting at cultural behaviors.
But it’s their social lives that truly set dolphins apart. They form close-knit pods, communicate through clicks and whistles, and display playful behaviors like surfing waves or playing games. Some even collaborate with humans in fishing communities, proof of their remarkable interspecies awareness. Scientists continue to study dolphins to better understand cognition, communication, and social bonds in the animal kingdom.
This feature in World-Wide Q&A dives into why dolphins captivate our imaginations. Across oceans, these sleek swimmers reveal how intelligence and friendship can thrive beneath the waves.