Tracking Behavior Change in a Rough-Toothed Dolphin (Steno bredanensis) Social Introduction

Abstract: Effective animal behavior management in zoological facilities requires ongoing monitoring of social dynamics and welfare, particularly during social introductions and environmental changes. This case study at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium examines behavioral changes observed during the social introduction of rough-toothed dolphins Rosie and Rudy, demonstrating the importance of systematic, non-invasive behavior analysis to support management decisions. After Rudy’s companion passed away in March 2023, video footage was collected opportunistically over a four month period and retrospectively coded using ZooMonitor, documenting behavior change throughout different environmental and social housing opportunities. Baseline activity budgets were developed for the period of time that the dolphins spent without social companions, and were then compared to activity budgets from during and after their introduction to each other. The rough-toothed dolphins were also relocated from an outdoor habitat to a shared habitat with bottlenose dolphins, kept acoustically separate. Comparisons of activity budgets from different housing opportunities underscore the dynamic nature of dolphin behavior and the value of behavioral monitoring in making informed, data-driven management decisions. Furthermore, rough-toothed dolphins are a rare and understudied cetacean species, so this research contributes to an enhanced understanding of their natural behavior and species-typical social interactions. 

For more information: lmeade@eckerd.edu

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