| Anthropogenic influences have led to altered behavioral patterns for cetaceans and recently have been identified as a serious problem. The purpose of this study was to examine if behavioral patterns differed between begging and non-begging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) around Savannah, Georgia, and to determine if the sounds produced by dolphins could supplement our knowledge of underwater behaviors. Individual follows were conducted on 17 beggars and 16 non-beggars from May-August 2011 and 2012. Acoustic data were collected during group follows in 2012. There was a significant difference in the time spent foraging between beggars and non-beggars (26% and 45%, respectively; χ2 = 104.01, p < 0.0001) as well as traveling (53% and 40%, respectively; χ2 = 46.62, p < 0.0001). Preliminary data show that sound production by these bottlenose dolphins may be low, and cannot yet aid in elucidation of underwater behaviors. It was demonstrated in this study that begging can lead to a long-term behavioral shift. |
