Dolphins hunting mackerel C014 / 1784
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Dolphins hunting mackerel C014 / 1784
Short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) hunting blue jack mackerel (Trachurus picturatus). The mackerel have formed a bait ball, a defensive manoeuvre performed by schooling fish that makes it harder for the predators to pick out individuals. However, it can also draw the attention of other predators, some of which have learnt how to take advantage of the bait ball. Photographed in the Azores
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9230439
© CHRISTOPHER SWANN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Animal Behaviour Atlantic Ocean Azores Bait Ball Baitball Balled Blue Jack Mackerel Cetacean Co Operation Cooperate Cooperation Corral Defence Defending Defense Defensive Delphinus Delphis Dolphins Evasion Evasive Feeding Formation Hunting Mammal Predation Predator Prey Preying School Schooling Shoal Shoaling Short Beaked Common Dolphin Spherical Strategy Trachurus Picturatus Underwater
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a mesmerizing moment in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. A pod of Short-beaked common dolphins, known scientifically as Delphinus delphis, are seen hunting Blue jack mackerel, scientifically referred to as Trachurus picturatus. The mackerel have cleverly formed a bait ball, a defensive maneuver used by schooling fish to make it harder for predators to single out individuals. The image showcases the intricate dynamics of nature's defense mechanisms and predator-prey relationships. While the bait ball protects against some predators, it also attracts attention from other cunning hunters who have learned how to take advantage of this strategy. Photographed in the picturesque Azores region, this underwater scene highlights not only the beauty but also the complexity of marine biology and animal behavior. The dolphins exhibit remarkable cooperation and coordination as they navigate through their prey's formation. Christopher Swann's lens perfectly captures this extraordinary moment where multiple species interact within an underwater ballet. It serves as a reminder that even in seemingly chaotic environments like the ocean, there is an underlying order governed by survival instincts and strategies developed over time. This stunning photograph offers viewers a glimpse into the fascinating world beneath our oceans' surface—a world where life teems with diversity and every creature plays its part in maintaining balance within ecosystems.
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