HOW DOLPHINS SPEAK
These chatty marine mammals have multiple methods of communication
WORDS SCOTT DUTFIELD
The two main methods dolphins use to communicate are clicking and whistling, with whistles being heard up to 12.4 miles away through the ocean. Whistling noises are made in different patterns and frequencies to speak with other dolphins, while clicking is used for echolocation. Echolocation is the method of releasing sound waves into the surrounding water in order to hunt for food and visualise the objects moving around them. The sound waves bounce off nearby objects and return to the dolphin’s head. Their brain then converts the returning sound waves into the shapes and distances of objects in the murky water, including threats, potential food and obstacles.