Dolphins are not just adorable sea mammals. In many interesting ways, they are surprisingly similar to us. The more we learn about them, the more we realize just how much we have in common. For one, we are both quite cool, I would say.
Jokes aside, the similarities they share with us can be wondrously startling. For example, they are some of the most intelligent animals on the planet, and their social complexity made us take new approaches to evolutionary sciences!
If you’ve ever wondered why we are so naturally charmed by these aquatic acrobats, this list is for you! Splash along and find out what exactly makes them so relatable. You might be surprised by how similar we truly are!
1. Dolphins Have Unique Names
Thought only humans give each other names? Nope! Dolphins use unique whistle-like noises to identify each other. These signature whistles are as unique as a fingerprint. Everything about them – pitch, sound, loudness – is oddly specific!
Calling out to individual dolphins is what the names are for – and yes – that means they use them from a far distance. Imagine what that looks and sounds like: “Hey, Jake!” said Flipper Flapjack across the oceanic football field, “Toss me that ball!”
On a serious note, this proves just how complex their communication style can be. This whole underwater social network will be addressed again, so stick around!
2. They Can Recognize Themselves In Mirrors
You may think this is lame. But what if I told you that most animals can’t pass the mirror test? You can think of it as a test of self-awareness! It is a surprisingly rare trait in the animal kingdom, representing an important sign of cognitive development!
Dolphins ace this test easily, however. Like total nerds! When dolphins are presented with a mirror, they do not treat it like another dolphin. Instead, they use the opportunity to check themselves out.
Seriously! They spend considerable effort inspecting what they look like, looking at their features and spots, like they’re hot stuff. They even blow bubbles to watch them float! That’s just a fancy underwater way of taking selfies! Pfft, posers!
3. Dolphins Love To Play
It is the case for many animals, but dolphins especially love (and need) their playtime. They say that the higher the cognitive abilities, the more easily bored you are. That means that dolphins have big problems when they’re mentally understimulated.
This is where dolphin games come in! Imagine spending your free time playing with seaweed, riding waves, or just chilling! Dolphins just like to have fun, to put it simply. They’ve even been observed teasing other animals for laughs. Bullies.
This sounds quite human, doesn’t it? I mean, don’t we all sometimes indulge in what we are good at for fun? Like dolphins are at risky swimming? And honestly, I can’t defend us – we can also be mean to each other as a joke!
4. They Form Super Close Friendships
Dolphins are super social and they create lifelong friendships – sticking together through thick and thin like true bros do! These friendships aren’t there for survival only, though. They also include loyalty, shared interests, and support! Yes, you heard right!
Dolphin pods consist of tightly-knit groups. Each dolphin is expected to support each other when they get injured. Just like a human social circle, each pod is complete with interest-based cliques!
Dolphin besties can be compared to the cliques in your school – Goth kids, music kids, the Jocks, or the Mean Girls? That kind of energy.
5. They Grieve
I’ve already explained that they’re super social animals. Now, what happens when you bond with someone closely and deeply, and then you lose them? Well, grief. Bitter grief.
The emotional depth is nowhere more evident than in this very capacity to grieve. When a dolphin loses a loved one, micro rituals are inevitable. The dolphin doesn’t just swim away – it has to be near the body, circling it, unwilling to accept the loss.
Dolphins have been observed staying by the body of a deceased mate too, gently nudging it as if to wake it up. If the image of a sad dolphin trying to wake up a forever-gone friend isn’t the most heartbreaking thing ever, then I don’t know what is.
6. They Have Their Own Language
As I’ve already mentioned, dolphins have names. Taking that into consideration, their language skills aren’t too surprising, are they? Dolphins communicate through all kinds of clicks and whistles. Body language is an important communication tool, too!
Imagine a pod of dolphins chatting. What do they even talk about in dolphin tongue? Do they talk about their day? Their favorite foods? Planning their next moves in future hunts? Is Flipper Flapjack calling for Jake to toss the ball again?
But the interesting stuff doesn’t end there! The Dolphin language is so advanced that they may even have dialects! If you’re a linguist, you may find this fascinating. But honestly, you don’t need to be one to be impressed.
Animals that have their dialects?! Underwater?! Give me a break!