Research Question: Are Bottlenose Dolphins Like Humans? (Essay Sample)

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Are Bottlenose Dolphins Like Humans?
The bottlenose dolphin is one of the most famous species of marine mammals. They are characterized by a strong body, and a short but thick beak. Their colors mostly range from light gray to black with a light coloration on the belly. Inshore animals are smaller and lighter while the offshore ones are larger and darker with smaller flippers. They live in groups of between 2 to 15 known as pods. Several pods can come together to form a larger group called a herd (Whitehead 205). They forage cooperatively. Since earlier centuries, dolphins have been a source of mystery due to their unique characteristics. They also bond with humankind in a different way. Due to this, there has been a great debate as to whether the bottlenose dolphins are actually like humans.
In 2013, the Government of India classified dolphins as non-humans who have their own rights. Due to this, dolphins cannot be kept in captivity. Since the country was the first in the world to come up with this policy, many got curious and began to learn more about dolphins. They came to a realization that dolphins have many characteristics similar to those of humans. This has also been confirmed through several scientific studies that have been carried out over the decades.
One of the similarities is that just like human beings dolphins are social animals. They have families and live in social groups. They form very strong bonds with the members in their social groups and have strong parent to child relationships (Hill et al 1). While developing in the uterus, the process is similar like in humans and gestation period varies as it can last between 10 to 17 months.
Dolphins take incredible care of their calves. Once calves are born, new mothers sever umbilical cords and push them to the surface so that they breathe. They are assisted by other females in the pod to do this. The new mothers produce thick and fatty milk used in nursing the calves for six months to two years. Calves remain close to their mothers until they reach puberty. This is similar to humans where umbilical cord is severed and others often assist the new mother to take care of the new born. Human mothers also nurse for the first six months and mostly up to two years or slightly longer. Children remain close to their mothers until puberty.
While growing up the young dolphins usually form a close bond with the members of the pod as they gain necessary survival skills. They are engaged in games of chase as they discover their habitat and socialize with pod members. The older members of the pod teach young counterparts skills and different behaviors that are characteristic of pod members. The pods possess different cultures. One of the things taught by older bottlenose dolphins to young ones is grasping a sea sponge for protection of the snout while foraging. This can be compared to human behavior where children run around as they discover their surroundings (MacNeilage 2). Parents and siblings teach children certain behaviors that are part of their culture. Different skills are also taught to children as they grow so that they become responsible and are able to fend for themselves in future. Children are also taught ways of keeping themselves safe.
Human beings speak in different dialects depending on region and cultural factors. There are different languages across the world. Dolphins generate different sounds like whistling, clicking, groaning and barking to communicate amongst them (Reuters 1). The sound that is produced by a dolphin bounces off objects and other creatures and then goes back into the direction of the dolphin. The brain of the dolphin analyses this information and creates a reaction, which leads the dolphin to react in the appropriate manner.
Research shows that different physical environments have led to bottlenose dolphins developing distinct dialects or vocalizations. A study done by Ronan Hickey at the University of Wales analysed 1882 whistles from dolphins in the Shannon area and Cardigan Bay. The study found 32 separate sound categories and of these, eight were only produced by the dolphins in the Shannon area. Evidence also shows that the bottlenose dolphins and orcas are able to learn each other’s languages. Orcas are also known as killer whales and they are able to copy the clicks and whistles produced by bottlenose dolphins (McClendon 1). These behaviors are similar to humans as we learn our languages through the environment and from our superiors. We are also able to learn each other’s languages.
Dolphins also give each other names. This is done through development of personalized whistles for pod members. Each pod member responds to unique whistles, which are done by other members of the pod. These unique sounds or whistles are like unique names for each of the members. This greatly assists when members are warning each other about danger or calling each other to go and forage. It assists the members of the pod to know and interact with one another (Morelle 1).
Researchers from the University of St Andrews in Scotland recorded a group of bottlenose dolphins and captured each of the animal’s signature sounds. When the signature whistles of animals in the pod were played back underwater, individuals in the group only responded to their own calls by whistling back. This shows that when they hear their names they answer. Since dolphins stay in a three dimensional environment, they need a very effective and efficient system that will enable them to stay in touch. Just like humans, they have therefore developed name-calling as a way of staying in touch throughout (Morelle 1). They cannot see each other most of the times and cannot use the sense of smell underwater hence; name-calling helps them to stay in touch.
Another unique characteristic shared by humans and dolphins is mirror recognition. Human beings are able to recognize themselves on the mirror and are always curious to see how they look. Looking at the mirror and understanding what one sees does not happen in all species as animals like cats and dogs study mirrors with confusion. On the other hand, dolphins know that they are looking at themselves. They are also able to recognize any changes in their appearance. Self-awareness can be assessed using the Mirror Self-Recognition Test also known as MSR. The tests is done by marking an animal with a substance which is colored in a specific area of the body and then place them in front of the mirror. If the animal is able to examine the mark in the mirror, they pass the test successfully. In a dolphin MSR test, researchers had confidence that the animals passed the test. A male dolphin was marked on his tongue and he swam to the mirror and opened his mouth to see the marking hence showing that dolphins understand themselves (Copeland 1).
Another characteristic of dolphins is that they are able to assist other species that may be in distress. Human beings help their own in distress and other species. A Canadian crew working on a documentary was able to capture a group of dolphins save a baby seal that was about to drown. The group of dolphins appears just as the seal pup seems to be giving up and they lend a helping hand (Bevan 1). Dolphins in the wild also help sick pod mates and support them by helping them to reach the surface to breed. They have also been known to save human beings who may be in distress in the ocean. An example is when Todd Endris, a 24-year-old surfer was practicing when a great white shark attacked him and even bit him severally. A group of 15 bottlenose dolphins appeared and surrounded him therefore forming a barrier between him and the shark (Bevan 1). This protection enabled Todd to get safely to the shore.
Dolphins and humans also have the same genetics and different sexual identities. The human and dolphin genomes are similar. The only differentiation is a few rearrangements in the chromosomes that have changed how genetic material is put together. An Australian study also did a research on 120 dolphins over five years and looked at their social lives. The study found that there are homosexual and bisexual relations within dolphin groups (Furuishi, Connor & Hashimoto 400). These relationships mostly occur among the male dolphins.
Despite the argument that dolphins are like humans, some researchers do not agree. Scientists say that their playful nature has a side that is more aggressive. Researchers based at the sea mammal research unit at St. Andrews University say they have spotted bottlenose dolphins engaged in acts of violence. The dolphins are said to isolate themselves and kill smaller porpoises without an intention of eating the carcass. Some gangs of male dolphins also try to forcefully mount on other males hence causing bloody fights in the pod. These findings make it uneasy for experts who have been claiming that dolphins deserve the same rights as human beings because they have high level of ...