Abstract
This study took place at three facilities in Key Largo, Florida (Dolphins Plus Oceanside, Dolphins Plus Bayside, and Island Dolphin Care), during which time the bubblestream vocalization emissions of four Tursiops truncatus calves, and their mother’s responses to the calls, were examined. The calves were video and audio recorded during the first 30 days post-parturition using underwater cameras and hydrophones. All data were collected between July 2010 and October 2012. The bubblestream whistle emissions were evaluated to determine which characteristic(s) of the whistles [e.g. frequency (kHz), duration of bubblestream (seconds), and number of inflection points (change from positive to negative, or negative to positive slope)] elicited a reunion by the mother. Highest and lowest point frequencies (Hz) were the only variables that differed significantly between reunions and non-reunions with the calf, each being significnatly lower for reunions compared to non-reunions.