Biologists at the University of California have released new footage showing dolphins actively hunting and consuming prey in the wild, marking a significant behavioral observation for marine science. The study, which appears in a peer reviewed journal, details how researchers used innovative recording methods to capture the full sequence of feeding and predatory behavior in dolphins, offering insights into their sensory strategies and motor control during a hunt.
Researchers attached specialized video and audio recording gear to the dolphins, allowing them to document feeding from multiple perspectives. The setup provided high resolution viewing angles that highlighted even the smallest actions involved in capturing and ingesting fish. Across the study, individual dolphins caught large numbers of fish, and the environments varied between controlled saltwater enclosures and open ocean habitats, illustrating how context might influence hunting tactics and prey selection in wild dolphins.
Among the remarkable observations was a dolphin that consumed eight small yellow-bellied sea snakes (Hydrophis platurus). This kind of prey inclusion had not been documented before in dolphin foraging records, and researchers noted no immediate adverse health effects in the animal following the unusual meal, suggesting a level of dietary flexibility that may occur in certain populations or ecological circumstances.
Video footage was carefully oriented to identify prey items and record minute details of the feeding process, including lip movement and the swallowing sequence. The recordings confirmed that dolphins rely on echolocation to locate distant prey and switch to visual cues as they close in, a shift that became evident through the tracking of their eye movements captured on camera.
During the search phase, the dolphins produced rapid sonar pulses at intervals ranging from roughly 20 to 50 milliseconds. As prey came into range, the acoustic pattern shifted to a faster buzz and then to a more transient squeal, with a series of clicks varying in duration, frequency, and amplitude during capture. These vocalizations persisted as the dolphins seized and swallowed their prey. When a fish broke free and attempted to swim away, the dolphins persisted in pursuit, with the sonar activity gradually diminishing as take attempts continued. Observers also noted physical changes during capture, including temporary swelling of the lips and an enlarged throat, which likely facilitated the grip and swallowing of prey in the water column.
The research team suggests that this approach to long term behavioral observation can be replicated to broaden understanding of hunting strategies among dolphin populations, including those that may be endangered. The findings open avenues for comparative studies that explore how sensory modalities, motor coordination, and prey behavior interact to shape feeding success in different ecological settings, contributing to broader knowledge about marine predator ecology and conservation planning for vulnerable dolphin communities.