Intentional beaching by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus )i n the Colorado River Delta, Mexico

Abstract

Summary Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were observed beach-feeding in the Colorado River delta in the northern Gulf of California. While such feeding activity has been well-described for bottlenose dolphins on the Atlantic coast of the United States, our observations represent one of the first reports of beach-feeding by bottlenose dolphins in the Baja California region of the Pacific coastline. A review of the literature shows that reports of beach feeding mostly involve two cetacean species: bottlenose dolphins and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Both of these species live in diverse coastal habitats and demonstrate diverse feeding behavior that probably contributes to the evolution of beach-feeding.