Sperm whales adopt lone dolphin with spinal deformity

May 13, 2013

ScienceNow is reporting that a group of marine biologists working in the Azorean archipelago, about 900 miles off the coast of Portugal, have discovered a group of sperm whales who appear to have taken in an adult bottlenose dolphin who has a rather serious spinal malformation.

Although it seems likely that he whales took the dolphin in because of it's deformity, it can not be proven. It could be that they enjoy the dolphin's presence, feel the need to protect the dolphin, or maybe just think it's a strange looking calf. All they do know is that the dolphin isn't there by chance and seems to be sticking around.

"It might be that this individual didn't fit in, so to speak, with its original group," said behavioral ecologist Alexander Wilson. "Or maybe it just couldn't keep up. For now, however, this will all have to remain speculative thinking."

Alexander Wilson and Jens Krause of the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries in Berlin did not expect to find a mixed-species group when they set out to observe the sperm whales. Among ocean-dwelling mammals, dolphins are perhaps the most gregarious. They've been spotted traveling, foraging, and playing with a wide variety of other animals, including many whales. On the other hand, sperm whales had never been reported cozying up to another species.

Full Story: Science Magazine  | Photos: Credit: Alexander D. M. Wilson/Aquatic Mammals


Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoCouple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It

feel good storiesMy Girlfriend Gifted Me My Father’s Handwriting To Keep Forever

feel good storiesWe Can’t Stop Looking At These Adorable Baby Loon Photos Taken On A Lake

feel good storiesThis Couple Built A Grass Patch For Their Cat, And She’s Obsessed With It

feel good storiesThis All-Black ‘Goth House’ In Indiana Is Going Viral. Wait Until You See The Inside

feel good storiesMeet Igor: The Fluffy Poltergeist Dog With The Most Unhinged Adoption Bio Ever

feel good videoBaby Elephant’s Trunk Steals The Show In Adorable Treat Time Video

feel good videoWhat Happens When A Man With A Hose Meets A Group of Kids? Pure Magic

feel good videoChicken Or Pigeon? The Internet Can’t Believe This Bird Is Real

feel good videoMom Surprises 4-Year-Old Son With First Apartment After 14 Months In Homeless Shelter

feel good videoBear Vs. Sprinkler: Hilarious Garden Moment Caught On Camera

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me