Dolphins hunting mackerel C014 / 1782
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Dolphins hunting mackerel C014 / 1782
Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) hunting blue jack mackerel (Trachurus picturatus). The mackerel have formed a bait ball, a defensive manoeuvre performed by schooling fish that makes it harder for the predators to pick out individuals. However, it can also draw the attention of other predators, some of which have learnt how to take advantage of the bait ball. Photographed in the Azores
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9226657
© CHRISTOPHER SWANN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Animal Behaviour Atlantic Ocean Azores Bait Ball Baitball Balled Blue Jack Mackerel Cetacean Co Operation Cooperate Cooperation Corral Defence Defending Defense Defensive Delphinus Delphis Dolphins Evasion Evasive Feeding Formation Hunting Mammal Predation Predator Prey Preying School Schooling Shoal Shoaling Short Beaked Common Dolphin Spherical Strategy Trachurus Picturatus Underwater
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a mesmerizing moment in the underwater world, showcasing the incredible hunting skills of short-beaked common dolphins. In this image, these intelligent mammals are seen strategically targeting blue jack mackerel amidst the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean near the Azores. The mackerel have formed a bait ball, an ingenious defensive maneuver employed by schooling fish to confuse and deter predators. This spherical formation makes it challenging for individual prey to be singled out. However, it also attracts attention from other predators who have learned how to exploit this cooperative behavior. Within this dynamic scene, we witness nature's intricate dance between predator and prey. The dolphins work together as a pod, utilizing their advanced communication and cooperation skills to navigate through the bait ball with precision and agility. Their synchronized movements showcase their mastery in hunting techniques. Photographer Christopher Swann skillfully captures this extraordinary display of animal behavior with his lens submerged beneath the surface. The vibrant colors and clarity of detail transport us into an underwater realm where survival instincts reign supreme. This photograph not only highlights the beauty of marine life but also serves as a testament to nature's remarkable adaptations and strategies for defense and predation. It is a reminder that even in seemingly inhospitable environments like deep oceans, life thrives through cooperation, adaptation, and ingenuity.
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