Question:
Do dolphins ever get attacked by sharks? If so can they defend themselves?
Kain
2006-06-07 06:18:52 UTC
Do dolphins ever get attacked by sharks? If so can they defend themselves?
24 answers:
zen
2006-06-07 06:23:07 UTC
What are the natural predators of dolphins?



Large sharks and killer whales are the only natural predators of dolphins. Tiger sharks, bull sharks, and great white sharks are the main species that attack dolphins. Humans have also posed a major threat to dolphins in recent years(in Japan the dolphin population was almost completely dessimated during the 1980's and 1990's).Predation risk may have been an important factor that led to the evolution of group living in dolphins. Furthermore, risk of shark predation appears to influence both habitat use and group sizes of dolphins in a variety of locations. In Sarasota Florida 31% of bottlenose dolphins bear bite scars while 36.6% of bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay Australia bear bite scars. These are very significant numbers, and could have easily spawned a group defense system among dolphin populations. Interestingly enough, Heithaus and Lawrence found that coastal dolphins exhibited more bite scars than pelagic dolphins. This seems to contradict theories that coastal dolphins remain safer from predators because of the shallow water. Also, few age and sex differences were noted in scarring rates. This implies that all dolphins are equally vulnerable to attack. Some scientists believe that shark attacks on dolphins are simply acts of aggressive behavior because dolphins and sharks utilize the same food sources. This has not been proven however, and more conclusive research needs to be carried out (Heithaus and Dill, 2002).



How do dolphins defend themselves against predators?



Dolphin calves are the most vulnerable to predators. Dolphin pods serve as a means of predatory defense because there are more eyes to look out for predators. Keen eyesight, speed, and agility make predator detection and escape easier for dolphins. Although the dolphins most common response to predators is flight, the bottlenose dolphin will sometimes exhibit aggressive defensive behavior against sharks. They do this by battering the soft underbelly of the shark with their snouts. This can result in killing the shark. Bottlenose dolphins also use whistles and clicks to warn other dolphins of predator presence.
anonymous
2015-08-06 22:57:01 UTC
This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Do dolphins ever get attacked by sharks? If so can they defend themselves?
anonymous
2006-06-07 07:04:31 UTC
They are actually known to defend people who are caught in shark attacks. Dolphins can kill sharks, and will or out swim the shark. I'm going to doubt they get attacked by sharks, but it's possible.
?
2016-10-03 12:32:00 UTC
Do Dolphins Kill Sharks
?
2016-12-18 13:22:44 UTC
How Do Dolphins Protect Themselves
anonymous
2016-03-18 09:10:39 UTC
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Tibby
2006-06-07 06:21:21 UTC
Yes, they do, unfortunately. But since dolphins usually travel in packs, a pack of dolphins can take on a shark.
justbipolar
2006-06-07 06:23:55 UTC
Yes. they do, all kinds of dolphins, not just the bottlenose we are most familiar with. However dolphins travel in "pods" or a large group, so it is unusual for a shark to succeed in eating a dolphin, unless it is ill, or a calf.
ProudSexySouthernGirl
2006-06-07 06:25:08 UTC
Sometimes the dolphins can kick the shark's asss. But Im sure that sharks do attack dolphins every now and then.
teena9
2006-06-07 06:21:28 UTC
It is a rare occurance, but it does happen sometimes. When it does, dolphins try to surround the shark and take turns butting it with their snouts in the hopes that it will go away.
jessssssssssssssss
2006-06-07 06:35:43 UTC
they can definitely defend themselves, if the timing is right . they rotate around the sharks body getting the shark dizzy to the point the shark is on its back torso facing up which will paralyze the shark. giving the dolphin enough time to escape.



its possible if you give it some thought.
Pobept
2006-06-07 06:22:02 UTC
1. Yes they are a shark food source

2. yes they do very well at defending themselves
anonymous
2006-06-07 06:53:09 UTC
Yes, I don't think sharks are fussy.. I have only ever heard of dolphins killing a shark in a pack. I don't know about on their own.. like the previous answer I suppose they would try to out run the shark. In a group they defend themselves by punching the shark in the sides continuously one after the other with their snouts or noses until the shark is injured or killed. In New Zealand there was this report of them protecting swimmers in a group from a shark..



Dolphins save men from shark

From correspondents in Whangarei, New Zealand





SWIMMERS have told how a pod of dolphins protected them from a great white shark off the northeastern coast of New Zealand.



Rob Howes and three other lifeguards were on a training swim about 100 metres offshore at Ocean Beach, near Whangarei, when the dolphins raced in and herded the group together.

"They started to herd us up, they pushed all four of us together by doing tight circles around us," Mr Howe said.



When he tried to drift away from the group, two of the bigger dolphins herded him back.



He then saw why. A three metre great white shark was cruising toward the group about two metres below the surface.



"I just recoiled. It was only about two metres away from me, the water was crystal clear and it was as clear as the nose on my face," he said, adding he then realised the dolphins had moved in to protect the swimmers.



The group were surrounded by the dolphins for 40 minutes before they were able to reach the shore.



Another lifeguard, Matt Fleet, was patrolling nearby in a rescue boat when he saw the dolphins' unusual behaviour.



When he dived out of the boat to join the group he also saw the great white.



Mr Fleet said he was keen to get out of the water after the sighting, but didn't panic.



"I just kept looking around to see where it was."



The incident happened about three weeks ago, but Mr Howes and Mr Fleet said they had kept the story to themselves until they had a chance to catch up and confirm what they had seen.



Auckland University marine mammal research scientist Doctor Rochelle Constantine said dolphins were normally vigilant in the presence of sharks.



The altruistic response of the dolphins was normal, she said.



"They like to help the helpless."
ervinmervin
2006-06-07 06:32:36 UTC
The Miami Dolphins have never played a team called the "Sharks"
Drofsned
2006-06-07 06:22:41 UTC
When accosted by a hungry shark the dolphin (Odontoceti Delphinidae) will retaliate with WMD.
anonymous
2006-06-07 06:22:49 UTC
dolphins natural enemy is the shark and unless the dolphin is sick or old, the shark keeps away from them. dolphins can defend themselves quite well.
yodeladyhoo
2006-06-07 06:21:46 UTC
Yes, they do and yes, they can.



Sharks are one of the major predators of dolphins. Dolphins swim in pods partly for defense and protection.
Bent
2006-06-07 06:21:44 UTC
Yes they do. Sharks are top predator that will eat anything. They use their nose to defend themselves.
anonymous
2006-06-07 06:25:01 UTC
Yes they do.

Infact, they can defend themselves, by hitting the sharks in the head with their tails, or headbutting.

They can also swim away.
anonymous
2006-06-07 06:21:15 UTC
Yes, but thats rare

No, they simply try to outrun the sharks
anonymous
2015-08-04 14:50:53 UTC
--->> Tips---> https://trimurl.im/e88/do-dolphins-ever-get-attacked-by-sharks-if-so-can-they-defend-themselves
alli
2006-06-07 06:22:14 UTC
they usually don't, but if they do, dolphins usually swim in "herds" so they attack in the best way they can to defend themselves, they all start launching themselves straight at the shark, and usually one or two might not make it. but wat else can they do, u know??
Sergey
2015-04-27 14:27:14 UTC
ONE SUMMER I KILLED A SHARK BUT I RELLY DID NOT KILL IT IT WAS A DOLPHIN THAT KILLED IT
anonymous
2006-06-07 06:21:53 UTC
probably


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