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Dolphins are fun. One of my most memorable free diving experiences was in Hawaii on the northwest shore of Maui with some Spinner Dolphins. They had followed a big tourist catamaran into a bay, entertaining the folks on the cat with their jumping and spinning behavior, and I kicked out toward them to see if I could get a closer look.Spinnor said:
Dolphins blow vortex rings as a form of play and enjoyment. It is a behavior that does not serve any specific purpose for survival but rather serves as a way for dolphins to have fun and interact with their environment.
Dolphins create vortex rings by quickly exhaling a stream of air through their blowhole, which then forms into a circular shape due to the water's resistance. They are able to control the size and speed of the vortex rings by adjusting the force of their exhale.
No, not all dolphins blow vortex rings. This behavior has only been observed in a few species, including bottlenose dolphins and humpback dolphins. It is believed that this behavior is more common in younger dolphins and may decrease as they age.
There is no evidence to suggest that blowing vortex rings is a form of communication for dolphins. It is more likely a playful behavior rather than a form of communication, as it has only been observed in non-threatening situations.
Aside from dolphins, there have been reports of other marine animals such as beluga whales and seals blowing vortex rings. Some birds, such as crows and parrots, have also been observed exhibiting similar behavior in captivity. However, this behavior is not as well-studied in these animals as it is in dolphins.