Dolphin Discovers Humans Like It When He Brings Them Gifts From The Bottom Of The Ocean, Develops A Habit Of Doing So
99Kviews
Dolphins are known as one of the smartest ocean creatures. They’re known to be able to build complex relationships, invent novel behaviors, and use both verbal and gestural signs to communicate with each other.
But the humpback dolphin named Mystique is taking the intelligence of this aquatic mammal to a whole new level. Look, nobody is immune to a nice gift. Mystique knows that very well. In fact, the adorable 29-year-old male dolphin is showering the volunteers at Barnacles Dolphin Centre on Queensland’s Tin Can Bay with luxury ocean goodies. From beautiful corals and shells to aged bottles from who knows what era, Mystique’s findings have dubbed him an avid treasure hunter. And that’s how the boy gets awarded with delicious fish. I mean, you gotta make a living somehow!
More info: Facebook | BarnaclesDolphins.com.au
Mystique the dolphin is showering volunteers at Barnacles Center with ocean goodies in return for a treat
Image credits: Barnaclescafedolphinfeeding
The boy has been missing all the attention from visitors since the center has closed for quarantine
Image credits: Barnaclescafedolphinfeeding
Bored Panda contacted the staff of Barnacles Cafe & Dolphin Feeding to find out more about the adorable dolphin Mystique. We were told that “Mystique is doing well, keeping the pod in line, but it’s quite clear that he is missing the attention from the public, he has been a big show-off the past few weeks.” The center has been temporarily closed since March 25 due to the quarantine.
Not only is the dolphin smart enough to come up with bribing techniques, he also knows “when he brings something in that he will get lots of praise and attention, then a fish to say thank you.” He has a “very intelligent and gentle soul, but is also slightly mischievous,” the volunteers told us.
He is the only dolphin in his pod of seven who brings gifts regularly
Image credits: Barnaclescafedolphinfeeding
Image credits: Barnaclescafedolphinfeeding
Coral, bottles, and shells are among the luxurious ocean goodies the dolphin treats workers with
Image credits: Barnaclescafedolphinfeeding
Image credits: Barnaclescafedolphinfeeding
“He brings us in all sorts of things like planks of wood, corals, old glass bottles, sea sponges, and rocks, ranging in all sorts of shapes and sizes.” The volunteers at the center are sure that Mystique will keep bringing things back for them once the crowds start to some in again. “He had always brought us gifts, but only since the lockdown closure has he been bringing in multiple gifts each morning.”
Image credits: Barnaclescafedolphinfeeding
Image credits: Barnaclescafedolphinfeeding
The video shows Mystique bringing in yet another treasure for his feeders
This is what people commented
99Kviews
Share on Facebook
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
And don't forget your towel!
It will come in handy on your way to The Restaurant at the end of the Universe!
Dolphins do give each other gifts, so it could well be gift giving... very sweet ^-^
But the other dolphin doesn't pay them for the gift with a fish. This is not gift giving. This is pure bartering. Credit it with the intelligence it's due.
Remember that the dolphin wasn't trained to do this. He first offered the object as a gift, then was rewarded with food. And it's been documented many times where dolphins will 'gift' another dolphin with seaweed or sponges. There is no reward for the dolphin other than the pleasure of giving, they don't get any sort of 'barter' out of it. Another time, a tourist dropped her camera in the water while taking pics. The dolphin dived down & retrieved it for her with no food offered or given as a reward. Think about this carefully. If it is all about the reward, as you are insinuating, where is the reward here? There is none. The dolphin is not asking to play a game that would give her pleasure or any other type of reward other that joy of giving it back. Dolphins are incredibly intelligent, give them that credit because it is definitely due. They even have names for themselves, which indicates a self awareness not seen in almost all of the rest of the animals in the world!
Of course! Have u seen the "spy in the pod" doco on Dolphins? One tried to befriend the disguised robot dolphin, but got frustrated after it would only repeat whatever the dolphin squeaked back at him. He brought it gifts though
Smarter than humans, where affection is often repaid with major appliances, jewelry or vacations.
I've been lucky enough to visit Mystique and his family. Amazing experience visiting wild dolphins who choose to visit humans because they enjoy it. The story of the Tin Can Bay dolphin family should be known more. Four generations of dolphins have enjoyed entertaining humans, and on several occasions, they have sought refuge with humans while recovering from injuries. It is very well run, with the dolphins best interests taking priority at all times.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
And don't forget your towel!
It will come in handy on your way to The Restaurant at the end of the Universe!
Dolphins do give each other gifts, so it could well be gift giving... very sweet ^-^
But the other dolphin doesn't pay them for the gift with a fish. This is not gift giving. This is pure bartering. Credit it with the intelligence it's due.
Remember that the dolphin wasn't trained to do this. He first offered the object as a gift, then was rewarded with food. And it's been documented many times where dolphins will 'gift' another dolphin with seaweed or sponges. There is no reward for the dolphin other than the pleasure of giving, they don't get any sort of 'barter' out of it. Another time, a tourist dropped her camera in the water while taking pics. The dolphin dived down & retrieved it for her with no food offered or given as a reward. Think about this carefully. If it is all about the reward, as you are insinuating, where is the reward here? There is none. The dolphin is not asking to play a game that would give her pleasure or any other type of reward other that joy of giving it back. Dolphins are incredibly intelligent, give them that credit because it is definitely due. They even have names for themselves, which indicates a self awareness not seen in almost all of the rest of the animals in the world!
Of course! Have u seen the "spy in the pod" doco on Dolphins? One tried to befriend the disguised robot dolphin, but got frustrated after it would only repeat whatever the dolphin squeaked back at him. He brought it gifts though
Smarter than humans, where affection is often repaid with major appliances, jewelry or vacations.
I've been lucky enough to visit Mystique and his family. Amazing experience visiting wild dolphins who choose to visit humans because they enjoy it. The story of the Tin Can Bay dolphin family should be known more. Four generations of dolphins have enjoyed entertaining humans, and on several occasions, they have sought refuge with humans while recovering from injuries. It is very well run, with the dolphins best interests taking priority at all times.