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Dolphins frequently ride on the bow waves or the stern wakes
of boats. This is probably adapted from the natural behavior
of riding ocean swells, the wakes of large whales, or a mother
dolphin's "slip stream" (hydrodynamic wake). Dolphins
have been seen jumping as high as 4.9 meters from the surface
of the water and landing on their backs or sides, in a behavior
called a breach or breaching.
Bottle-nose dolphins are playful and intellignet, they are
easily trained to perform complex tricks and tasks (see: Dolphin
Intelligence). Both young and old dolphins chase one another,
carry objects around, toss seaweed to one another, and use
objects to solicit interaction. Such activity may be practice
for catching food. Dolphins spend a large part of their day
looking for food, or actually feeding. This is part of their
daily activity cycle. Bottle-nose dolphins are active to some
degree both day and night. Social behavior comprises a major
portion of a dolphin's daily activities. Feeding usually peaks
in early morning and late afternoon.
Scouting
Scouting behavior has been observed in bottle-nose dolphins.
An individual may investigate novel objects or unfamiliar
territories and "report" back to the pod. As stated
before, bottle-nose dolphins may aid ill or injured pod mates.
They may stand by and vocalize, or they may physically support
the animal at the surface so it can breathe.
(Wild Dolphins)
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