Abstract
This project investigated individual differences in problem-solving strategies among bottlenose dolphins using an apparatus opening task. The primary problem addressed was understanding how variation in behavioral strategies and persistence influenced task success in a controlled, comparative context. Prior research has demonstrated that dolphins exhibit higher cognitive abilities, yet little was known about how specific individuals approach novel challenges or how time investment and strategy choice relate to successful outcomes. To address this gap, archived video data from two managed care facilities were analyzed using systematic behavioral coding software (BORIS). Each subject’s attempts to open the apparatus were categorized by strategy type, trial duration, and success outcome. Quantitative analyses, including descriptive statistics and ANOVA-based comparisons, were used to examine differences across subjects and strategies. This approach was selected because it allowed for both individual and group level comparisons using standardized behavioral and temporal measures, while maintaining ecological validity through naturally occurring problem-solving behavior. Implementation involved reviewing 22 recorded trials, coding each for strategy (e.g., tugging, hitting with rostrum), duration, and success (OpenYesNo). Graphical and statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS to visualize patterns in strategy effectiveness, mean durations, and individual performance. Results revealed that certain strategies were more successful and time-efficient than others, and that individual dolphins exhibited consistent differences in their preferred strategies and persistence levels. For instance, Alfonz generally completed attempts more quickly, while Squirt demonstrated longer durations suggestive of greater persistence. Project outputs included a comprehensive dataset of coded behavioral variables, comparative visualizations of success rates and durations, and interpretive analyses linking individual variability to problem-solving outcomes. The findings underscored that both strategy type and individual approach influenced success, reflecting cognitive diversity within the species. Future work should incorporate additional contextual variables such as social influences, environmental, and physiological factors to further explain strategy selection and efficiency. Expanding the sample size and including other novel tasks could deepen understanding of the mechanisms underlying individual differences in animal problem-solving behavior.