Wondering whether dolphins eat seals found in the ocean? Let us together learn all about it.
Dolphins eat seals, but that is not their primary source of nutrition. Instead, dolphins prefer feeding on fishes such as sawfish, cod, mackerel, herring, and the likes. They also feed on sharks, whales, and baby dolphins. Dolphins are dangerous animals who kill for the sake of it, even when they are not actively looking for prey.
There are a number of facts surrounding dolphins and their behavioral and diet patterns. Allow us to take you through a few questions.
Image Credits: “Dolphin Show” by Justin Ornellas is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Do all dolphins eat seals?
Curious to know whether all dolphins consume seals? Allow us to tell you all the details on this topic.
All dolphins do not eat seals as some of them are not large enough to consume giant animals like seals. Smaller dolphins prey on squid and other crustaceans such as octopuses as well as fishes like cod, herring, sawfish, and mackerel, whereas larger dolphins consume whales, sea lions, turtles, and seals.
All dolphins, like all toothed whales, are carnivores and feed on other animals. The type of food a dolphin eats depends on their species as well as the availability of different types of prey. The region that a dolphin occupies affects their lifestyle and food habit.
Do bottlenose dolphins eat seals?
Image Credits: “Common Bottlenose Dolphins, near Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, California (5)” by Ken Lund is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Bottlenose dolphins are unique animals with specific behavioral patterns and diet requirements. But do they eat seals? Let us find out.
Bottlenose dolphins do not eat seals but prefer eating crustaceans like squid and octopuses as well as fishes such as salmon, herring, and cod. You will mostly find bottlenose dolphins in tropical and temperate oceans, and the fish they eat primarily depends on their environmental conditions as well as the local weather.
In summers, for instance, bottlenose dolphins prefer salmon, but in winters, they shift to mackerel and herring since salmon is scarce. Mullet, catfish, and mackerel are some popular fish choices for dolphins living in tropical regions.
Do dolphins eat baby seals?
Curious to know whether dolphins munch on baby seals? Allow us to tell you more in this regard.
Dolphins may eat baby seals depending on their environment, local climate, and the availability of alternate food options. Some dolphin species eat quite indiscriminately and may consume whatever is easily available. The truth is the majority of dolphin species (particularly smaller ones) prefer fishes, squid, octopuses, and other crustaceans over baby seals. However,
Baby seals are attacked by various sea creatures, including penguins, sharks, whales, sea otters, and dolphins. When a large dolphin is hungry, it preys on a variety of creatures, including sea lions, sea turtles, and other dolphins, as well as whales. Needless to say, some dolphins even eat their own babies.
What do dolphins do to baby seals?
Image Credits: “Seal at Kalk Bay Harbour” by smagdali is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
You’d be surprised to know that dolphins are incredibly dangerous animals. Let us find out what dolphins do to baby seals.
Dolphins are massive bullies who hunt and kill baby seals since they are quite vulnerable and make excellent food for the dolphins. Dolphins might even get quite violent towards baby seals, just like they do towards their own species. Being meat-eaters, dolphins frequently hunt for smaller animals, and baby seals become their frequent victim.
It is believed that, unlike most animals that merely hunt to kill, dolphins have displayed the urge to kill for the sake of it. They are very aggressive and frequently bludgeon their prey to death, even if they are not hungry. Acts of gruesome murder have always been quite common among dolphins, especially the larger ones.
Do seals get along with dolphins?
People are often curious to know whether dolphins and seals get along. Allow us to tell you more in this regard.
Dolphins and seals may get along, and there have been recorded instances of the same. However, this is only possible if they have been raised together and are of the same age in addition to being trained well. That being said, most dolphins are quite hostile towards seals and are known to prey on them.
We must mention here that dolphins and seals often also compete for fish which makes a friendship between them unlikely. So, they are not likely to get along, but there can be rare exceptions.
Conclusion
Dolphins and seals are wild animals who compete for resources, be it swimming space or food. Therefore, like most wild animals, there exists a sense of competition between them. However, most dolphins are larger than seals and can easily assert their dominance over them, injuring or killing them in the process.
Dolphins have aggressive behavioral patterns and are known to bully animals of the sea quite often, be it sharks, smaller whales, other dolphins, sea turtles, or seals. They are carnivores who hunt quite indiscriminately, and therefore, they are often viewed as a threat to most marine creatures smaller than them.
