Dolphins and whales engage in playful interactions.
Researchers find dolphins and whales often engage in playful interactions, with whales responding positively.
Why it matters
- Understands interspecies interactions in marine mammals.
- Provides insights into the social behaviors of dolphins and whales.
By the numbers
- 199 separate interactions and 19 species involved.
- 1,570 dolphins and 425 whales observed.
- Humpback whales responded positively about a third of the time.
The big picture
- Study sheds light on rare phenomenon of playful interactions between different marine mammal species.
- Observational data collected from public and scientific sources worldwide.
What they're saying
- No significant comments on the study itself.
Caveats
- Observational study based on videos and images.
- Data collected from various sources including the public, tourism operators, and scientists.
What’s next
- Further research to understand the purpose and implications of these interactions.