Dolphins look like they're always smiling. Yes they do smile at each other too, finds study
Dolphins are highly social animals and are playful across ages
Most dolphins always seem to have smiley expressions when they pop up above the water, making us wonder if they are actually smiling like us humans. Turns out, they are indeed smiling at times, and they do so with each other too, just like us.
In a study published in iScience journal, the researchers said bottlenose dolphins exhibit a very specific facial expression when they play with each other. Seen as a form of social communication, the expression involves an open mouth, according to researchers led by evolutionary biologist Elisabetta Palagi from the University of Pisa in Italy.
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"We've uncovered the presence of a distinct facial display, the open mouth, in bottlenose dolphins, and we showed that dolphins are also able to mirror others' facial expression," ScienceAlert quoted Palagi as saying.
To reach this conclusion, the team studied 80 hours of footage showing 22 captive dolphins playing underwater. When the animals were in each other's line of sight, they exhibited a very specific open-mouth expression.
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This happened 90 per cent of the time when they saw their fellow dolphins when playfighting. The 'smile' may have been an indication that it's not aggressive behaviour but just play, according to the researchers.
And just like humans, the dolphins mirror each other's expressions. The smile was 'returned' 33 per cent of the time, the study found.
Similar expressions had been observed in previous studies on primates and dogs. This indicates there is a universal biological basis for smiling expression across species.
"The relaxed open mouth, seen in social carnivores, monkeys' play faces, and even human laughter, is a universal sign of playfulness, helping animals – and us – signal fun and avoid conflict," said the lead researcher.
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In the dolphin study, the researchers noted that the open-mouth expression was very specific when they were playing with each other, and different from when the dolphins were alone.
These expressions serve to foster social bonds and facilitate enjoyable interactions. The smile is yet another instance of the intricate ways of communication of dolphins, already known for having some of the most complex vocalisations among animals.
“Open-mouth signals and rapid mimicry appear repeatedly across the mammal family tree, which suggests that visual communication has played a crucial role in shaping complex social interactions, not only in dolphins but in many species over time,” said Palagi.
(With inputs from agencies)
