@canvasofthewild

Common bottlenose dolphins are found all over the world, with some populations specializing in coastal habitats and others preferring the pelagic. The coastal dolphins can be territorial and often utilize a variety of habitats – from bays and estuaries to seagrass beds and coral reefs. As a #cetacean ; bottlenose dolphins are considered one of the smartest animals on the planet, challenging even the great apes. Their intelligence is likely due to their complex social structures; where families (called pods) remain close, individual relationships are formed, and hunting strategies coordinated as a team. Across the world, each population develops specific hunting techniques best adapted to their environment and then passes down these self-learned behaviors to the next generation. One example is what scientists call "mud plume feeding" - where South Florida dolphins have developed this clever technique to corral fish by kicking up mud around them, which makes the fish jump out of the water and right into the mouths of waiting dolphins! Learn more about this species and how you can help protect these intelligent and curious beings on @oceanicpreservationsociety 💙 Artwork by @kellyofthewild . . #seaofconnections #oceanlove #oceanlover #dolphin #dolphins #bottlenosedolphin #dolphinart #dolphinlove #dolphinlover #cetaceans #whaletail #ops #opsociety #scientificillustration #marinescience #steamlearning #steameducation