Perhaps it is worth starting with the fact that dolphins are predators. And they behave accordingly. In fact, there are many examples when these mammals did not save people, but on the contrary, drowned them, informs Ukr.Media.
Dolphins kill their relatives
Yes, this is not fiction, but the real truth, although not so fun. Zoologists from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland have proven this after a long and careful study of these animals. According to their reports, bites were recorded on the bodies of dead animals that could only have been left by dolphin teeth.
Of the hundred animals, almost half had characteristic marks. Thus, the researchers refuted the theory that dolphins die only from propellers or fishing trawls and nets.
Dolphins can kill a person
It sounds shocking, but it can actually happen. Don't forget that these animals are predators.
Dolphins can easily bite, strike, or ram a person with great force, which can result in serious injury or even death. This can happen if the animal feels provoked, frightened, is protecting its territory or young, or if it is an individual with abnormal behavior.
In 1994, a dolphin attacked a man at a dolphinarium, causing injuries that led to his death. That same year, a not-so-good dolphin appeared off the coast of Brazil, sending about 30 people to hospital. And it killed one man.
Games can also end quite sadly. Such a case was registered in the 70s in the city of Alushta. One man, having noticed a flock of animals about 50 meters away, decided to swim up to them and play. It all ended quite unpleasantly for the man. About half an hour later, two dolphins pushed the almost lifeless body of the vacationer to the shore. Almost all of the man's ribs were broken, and his whole body was covered in bruises and hematomas. The victim was taken to the hospital.
These rescuers are not saving anyone.
There are quite a few known cases of human rescue by these animals. In fact, dolphins are driven by ordinary curiosity, and they are not going to save anyone. Often they can even “help” a drowning person by starting to play with him. Also, pushing objects or injured individuals to the surface or shore may be a manifestation of certain social instincts, which are sometimes applied to other creatures.
The same goes for saving people from sharks. When a person says that dolphins protected them from sharks, it is not entirely true. In fact, dolphins did not protect them from sharks, but according to their instincts, they attacked them. Dolphins and sharks are old enemies and cannot stand each other.
Some people seriously believe that dolphins can smile. This is again a myth, and a dolphin's smile is nothing more than the structure of its jaw. These animals have no facial expressions. An attacking dolphin will also “smile.” It sounds creepy, but it's true.
Dolphins can kill their babies
This is, sadly, actually true. And all because dolphins are excessively sexually active. When a female dolphin gives birth, all her attention is switched to her baby. At the same time, her activity in terms of relationships is sharply reduced. The male does not like this, and he can easily kill his baby so that the female becomes active again. It sounds terrible, but it is a fact.
Several newborn bodies with bite marks from adults were found on the Virginia coast.
Now you may be surprised, but dolphins are not as smart as everyone thinks. Dolphins are certainly very intelligent animals. They have complex social structures, developed communication, are capable of learning, use primitive tools in some populations, have a high level of self-awareness (pass the “mirror test”). In general, dolphins are one of the most intelligent animals, but the myths about their exceptional, almost human, intelligence are exaggerated.
