Bubble ring play of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): Implicationsfor cognition

Research on the cognitive capacities of dolphins and other cetaceans (whale s and porpoises) has importance for the study of comparative cognition, par ticularly with other large-brained social mammals, such as primates. One of the areas in which cetaceans can be compared with primates is that of obje ct manipulation and physical causality, for which there is an abundant body of literature in primates. The authors supplemented qualitative observatio ns with statistical methods to examine playful bouts of underwater bubble r ing production and manipulation in 4 juvenile male captive bottlenose dolph ins (Tursiops truncatus). The results are consistent with the hypothesis th at dolphins monitor the quality of their bubble rings and anticipate their actions during bubble ring play.