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Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program

Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program

Conserving Texas Dolphins

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dolphin face Galveston Bay Texas

Galveston Bay Dolphins

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are an adaptable species that live in coastal and oceanic environments throughout much of the world. They are the only species of cetacean native to Texas bays and estuaries and the only ones you will see within Galveston Bay. Dolphins are long lived mammals, potentially living over 50 years and raising several generations of offspring, while depending on the rich resources of our Bay. Their health and ability to thrive here can provide a wealth of information about the ecosystem we share with them.


Photo-Identification

Researchers identify dolphins using nicks and notches in their dorsal fins that create a unique pattern, allowing individuals to be identified and tracked over time. These markings are usually created naturally, though sometimes may be the result of interactions with boats, fishing gear or even sharks. GDRP has identified over 1000 unique individuals spending time within the inshore waters of Galveston Bay.

dolphin fin photo-identification nicks and notches
dolphin fin photo-identification nicks and notches
dolphin fin photo-identification nicks and notches
dolphin fin photo-identification nicks and notches

Meet the Dolphins

Get to know some of the dolphins living in Galveston Bay, Texas

Squirt
Squirt flounder
Ducky
Babe
Babe Bow Ride
Rudy
Rudy & Squirt
Astro
Pepsi
Olive
Shiner
Dutch
Arnold
Dolphin Group
Terry Lynn Ted
Terry Lynn bowride
Ted
Mariner
Martin
Lucy
Martin and Lucy
Piper
Cruiser
Cruiser leap
Mrs. Potts
Jersey
Calypso
Astro II
Grace
Nina
Sophia
Dumbledolph
Genevieve
Shanthi
Delphi
Catsu Two
Island Byron
Tide
Flip
Surfy
previous arrow
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Squirt
Squirt
Squirt flounder
Ducky
Ducky
Babe
Babe
Babe Bow Ride
Rudy
Rudy
Rudy & Squirt
Astro
Astro
Pepsi
Pepsi
Olive
Olive
Shiner
Shiner
Dutch
Dutch
Arnold
Arnold
Dolphin Group
Terry Lynn Ted
Terry Lynn
Terry Lynn bowride
Ted
Ted
Mariner
Mariner
Martin
Martin
Lucy
Lucy
Martin and Lucy
Piper
Piper
Cruiser
Cruiser
Cruiser leap
Mrs. Potts
Mrs. Potts
Jersey
Jersey
Calypso
Calypso
Astro II
Astro II
Grace
Grace
Nina
Nina
Sophia
Sophia
Dumbledolph
Dumbledolph
Genevieve
Genevieve
Shanthi
Shanthi
Delphi
Delphi
Catsu Two
Catsu Two
Island Byron
Island Byron
Tide
Tide
Flip
Flip
Surfy
Surfy
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
 
Shadow

Featured dolphins are part of the GDRP “Adopt-a-Dolphin” program. By symbolically adopting a dolphin you support our research and education-outreach initiatives.

adopt-a-dolphin now

Dolphin Behavior


What do dolphins do all day in Galveston Bay?

Dolphins engage in a variety of natural behaviors and interact with human activities. They move around the Bay, spending much of their day traveling from place to place. Below are a few other behaviors that researchers see while studying dolphins in our Bay. If you see dolphins in Galveston Bay and surrounding waters, you can report your sighting here!

Feeding

Dolphins are often found where the fish are! While most feeding takes place under the water and is hard to see, sometimes dolphins engage in “fish tossing” or will bring a fish to the surface in their mouth where our researchers will catch a glimpse of it. Other behaviors that may indicate dolphins are feeding include “swirling” at the surface and long “fluke-out” dives.

Socializing

Dolphins are social animals. They often maintain social bonds within a community through tactile behavior. These social interactions are usually friendly, but may also be aggressive. Socializing dolphin groups may roll, splash and leap in the air. Maybe unsurprisingly, similar to humans, groups of juvenile dolphins tend to be the most rowdy!

Leaping

It is always exciting to see dolphins leap out of the water with their entire body. Dolphins may leap to communicate with each other, to remove remora fish attached to their skin, when they are traveling fast, when they are riding boat wakes, or when they are socializing with other dolphins.

Tail Slapping

Sometimes dolphins forcefully slap their tails on the surface of the water making a booming noise. This behavior is a form of communication, and sometimes may indicate aggression or irritation. While it is commonly performed ‘dorsal-side-up’, dolphins in Galveston Bay often like to do this ‘belly-side-up’.

Bow Riding

Dolphins commonly ride on the pressure wake created on the bow of ships, barges and other vessels. While there may be an energetic benefit to traveling the Bay in this manner, dolphins most likely engage in this activity because it is fun! Recreational boaters should not seek to engage this behavior, but if dolphins appear on your bow, maintain speed and heading when possible, avoiding abrupt movements.

Trawler Patrolling

Dolphins often follow closely behind active shrimp trawlers in Galveston Bay. This behavior is likely a strategy to get an ‘easy’ meal, feeding on trapped, weak or dead fish and shrimp. Interactions such as these could increase risk of injury from gear entanglement and dependence on human activity for food.

Line Lifting

Researchers in Galveston Bay have noticed a worrisome behavior when dolphins are feeding behind shrimp trawlers. Dolphins will lift the “lazy line” of the trawl, either with their rostrum or with their head, just behind the blowhole. While these interactions tend to be brief, we have noticed scars on some dolphins potentially caused by this risky behavior.

Begging and Depredation

Unfortunately, dolphins sometimes learn to obtain food directly from humans. They may scavenge discarded fish, take catch from lines and traps and even beg from humans who illegally feed them. These interactions can be harmful to dolphin health. Keep dolphins safe by following safe boating and fishing guidelines and never feed wild dolphins!

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Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program

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