SC is one of the rare spots in the world where dolphins learn this helpful trick. Take a look
Have you ever heard of strand feeding?
Each year, young dolphins in the Lowcountry learn the ropes of this generational tactic.
Strand feeding is a rare act that happens in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, some parts of Georgia and few other places on earth. This is because the learned tactic only takes place in tidal creeks and marshes along exposed mud banks.
Along with organized planning that needs to take place to make the hunt successful, dolphins have to be careful to avoid any nearby oyster beds as they can be razor sharp.
This behavior takes place year round, during both day and night, with September and October being particularly active months, detailed the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
The strategic form of hunting involves teamwork, communication and timing and generally takes place during low tide. Dolphins generally perform this tactic during a rising low tide in the case a fellow dolphin goes too far and gets stuck. The rising tide will save them.
Nearby shorebirds also sometimes can be seen patiently waiting for the dolphins to finish their meal. This is because when the dolphins are finished, the shorebirds will eat up the remaining leftovers.
Strand feeding is an ambush hunting technique where small groups of between two to six dolphins, will herd groups of bait fish such as mullet tightly together into a “bait ball.” They will then form a line and accelerate to create a bow wave that forces their prey onto shore as they follow close behind and surge out of the water together, nearly stranding themselves to feed.
The practice of strand feeding is a learned behavior among local dolphin populations, and not all of them know how to do it. During the summer, local waters get a “lot of migratory dolphins.” However, they don’t know how to do this ambush tactic, said Chris Short involving a video he took of the practice. In a sense, the tradition is passed down through the generations.
Even baby dolphins, called a calf, partake in the experience. In the above video shown, one can be seen learning the craft at an estimated few weeks old at the time.
Calves are born with what are called fetal folds, which are the vertical ‘stripes’ you can see in the video.
Typically, these folds can be seen on very young dolphins as they are a product of being curled up in their mother’s womb where they are “curled up like a shrimp,” Short said.
In addition, aside from seeing these folds on younger newborn calves, the estimation of his age is because “he was just really small.”
Although the video shows the little newborn calf appearing to get stuck, it was only brief as he quickly freed himself and continued to learn the generational craft.
This story was originally published July 17, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "SC is one of the rare spots in the world where dolphins learn this helpful trick. Take a look."
