Dolphins are not just intelligent; they also communicate through facial expressions, mirroring each other much like humans do. A study published in October revealed that this behavior is not coincidental.
Researchers observed 22 captive dolphins over 80 hours across more than 60 days. During this period, these social marine mammals engaged in playful interactions 837 times with other animals, humans, and each other, showcasing their playful nature.
Notably, they smiled a total of 1,288 times. When two dolphins played together, they were 13 times more likely to mimic each other's facial expressions within a second. This level of imitation has also been documented in other mammals, such as meerkats and sun bears.
Interestingly, an open mouth could signify a bite threat, but in a third of the cases, one dolphin would copy the other even if it hadn't seen the initial display. This suggests that a strategy to prevent bites may have evolved into a communicative signal among these highly social creatures.
In murky waters, dolphins primarily rely on sound for communication, using high-pitched whistles to indicate their position. However, when visibility is good, they often switch to visual cues. During play, they smile at each other with open mouths and use other communicative signals, similar to other mammals.
When not threatened by predators, dolphins mix body language with whistling, enhancing their cooperation. Previous studies indicate they are also interested in whether other species respond to their attempts at 'conversation,' suggesting they can recognize where another's attention lies and adjust their behavior accordingly.