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FREE-RANGE INTERSPECIES RESEARCH,
RESEARCH IN BODY LANGUAGE AND BIOACOUSTICS

 

Free-range interaction research: I researched inter-species communication, collected field data, analyzed, and published the outcome of three field studies of short-finned pilot whales in the Atlantic off the Canary Islands in 1994, 1996, and 2001. These research results have contributed to a code of conduct and specific protective measures for short-finned pilot whales off the southwest coast of Tenerife. Collaborating with colleagues, we explored the intricacies of pod-specific calls among short-finned pilot whales, repertoires that are taught and learned. Observing and cataloging the physical underwater behaviors of the whales, we contributed to the understanding of how they explore their environment and interact. The inter-species communication research, conducted in immersive encounters with pilot whales, has been characterized by mutual interest and kinds of ritualized interactions, which have provided me with profound moments of beauty. 

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When Play Becomes the Language: How We Approached Pilot Whales on Their Terms

 

In the deep waters southwest of Tenerife, we attempted to study short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) by entering the water, quietly, carefully, on the whales’ terms. Our aim wasn’t just observation, but a form of contact that respected the whales’ agency.

 

For centuries, the majority of human-pilot whale encounters were marked by violence, most notably in the North Atlantic, where traditional drive hunts like those in the Faroe Islands involved herding entire pods ashore to be killed. Against this backdrop, we cannot assume to be neutral figures in the perceptual world of these highly social marine mammals. Unlike more commonly human-acclimated dolphin species, pilot whales carry a cultural legacy of threat, making it essential for us to approach them with exceptional caution and respect. This historical context shaped the design of our fieldwork protocols, in which we prioritized ethical, non-invasive methods during underwater observations. Our approach was not only scientifically sound but also aimed at reducing stress for the whales and fostering a different kind of interspecies contact. This was achieved by minimizing acoustic disturbance by forgoing SCUBA, entering the water only during periods of calm synchronized whale behavior, and avoiding swimmer-initiated contact.

 

Most studies on pilot whale behavior were based on surface observations. However, we recognized that underwater observations are essential to gain a more complete understanding of their behavioral repertoire, particularly for social and acoustic behaviors that are not easily detected at the surface. To do this, we borrowed a concept from anthropologist Gregory Bateson’s 1955 essay A Theory of Play and Fantasy. Bateson argued that play is a kind of metacommunication, behavior that says, “This isn’t aggression; this is play.” In animals, play-fighting looks like real fighting, but comes with signals that reframe the interaction. Understanding this difference requires social awareness, even trust. We applied this thinking to our own role in the field. We approached whales not as dominant observers, but as potential participants in a delicate, symbolic exchange. Our methodology, set across three field seasons in 1994, 1996, and 2001, involved strict precautions.

 

We only entered the water when pilot whale groups were resting or gently moving, and when no other boats were nearby. Entries were made quietly, without SCUBA gear, to reduce acoustic intrusion. Observation from the boat always preceded entry to ensure the animals’ behavior remained undisturbed. Once in the water, we didn’t initiate contact. We floated, allowing the whales to choose whether to approach. And sometimes, they did glide past, circling gently, diving beneath our bodies without urgency or alarm. Our research offers a rare glimpse into what respectful interspecies contact might look like. Instead of forcing encounters, we created conditions where whales could choose to engage or not. We paid close attention to how whales signal comfort, curiosity, or exhibit a lack of interest. The duration of our encounters varied from three to 44 minutes, averaging around 14 minutes. Each moment in the water was documented not only in field notes but through the creation of a detailed ethogram, a catalog of behaviors, based on observation, photography, film, and acoustic recordings.

 

Like orcas, pilot whales belong to the dolphin family, categorized as toothed whales, and they also live in a matrilineal social structure that reflects the complexity of their behavior. All offspring remain in their birth group for life. Mating takes place only between whales of different groups. The whales then return to their birthing group, cooperating to care for calves and hunt for food. Older females occupy central roles, some continuing to give milk even without their own calves, and acting as babysitters, while others dive for prey. These elderly females also pass on knowledge of feeding grounds to the next generation.

 

The underwater observations revealed behaviors never before described in this detail. During a spyhop, a whale lifts its head out of the water and stands vertically in the water column. Whales can see both above and below the water. They rise out of their element to look at us. While scouting and bowriding, a single whale from a more distant group comes very close to the boat, turns on its side, and peers out of the water. Sometimes it surfs on the bow wave: bowriding. The group maintains its distance. This kind of targeted interest often signaled us to get ready to enter the water. Eye contact, too, was frequent. Looking into a whale's open eye made us realize that a free-living, self-conscious creature was swimming next to us in the water. Frontal approaches were intense experiences, when, for instance, two whales approached head-on. They simultaneously send out strong, short pulses of sound detection, clicks, to get an acoustic three-dimensional image of us, diving researchers. During body contact, pilot whales touch each other, sometimes with their whole bodies. Touching is part of their communication, just like it is for humans. Our recordings included behavior such as love-biting, noting that many have scars. The older a whale is, the more scars it has.

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In some encounters, the whales initiated complex social interactions. Young and old whales of both sexes approached us from all sides and jointly scanned us at close range. We then started to swim synchronously with individual whales. They came of their own accord and took turns swimming with us.

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Other documented behaviors included encircling, diving under, and imitation of human behaviour. In one case, after we performed rolls and circular swimming, some of the whales then joined in the circular movement. At the end of the encounter, all the whales let bubbles out of their blowholes simultaneously. In contrast, on another day, a pilot whale performed 16 consecutive tailslaps, creating a chaotic wall of bubbles that disrupted sound. We decided to leave the water.

 

The research on sound played a critical role as well. We documented pod-specific vocal repertoires, sets of calls unique to each social group. These acoustic “dialects” were surprisingly stable over time and context, offering clues to group identity and social interaction. Call types varied depending on what the whales were doing: quieter, low-frequency sounds while resting; lively whistles and pulsed calls during socializing; echolocation clicks during foraging. Vocalizations also changed depending on who, or what, was nearby. Whale-watching boats, for instance, often triggered a drop in vocal activity. In contrast, during swimmer-only encounters, the whales were often acoustically active, a sign that they were neither retreating nor silencing themselves. It was another form of permission for us to join them in their element.

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Scheer, M., Hofmann, B., Behr, I.P. (2004). Ethogram of selected behaviors initiated by short finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) and directed towards human swimmers during open water encounters. Anthrozoös 17(3): 244-257. DOI: 10.2752/089279304785643267

Scheer, M. and Hofmann, B: The Dolphin Space Program, in: Krankendienst 1 (2004) 12–15, (German language).

Hofmann, B., Scheer, M. & Behr, I.P. (2004) Underwater behaviors of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off Tenerife. Mammalia 68(2-3): 221-224. Cover photography of volume 68(2-3). DOI: 10.1515/mamm.2004.020

Scheer, M., Hofmann, B. & Behr, I.P. (2003) Vocalizations of free-ranging short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus ) off Tenerife: signal repertoire and characteristics. European Research on Cetaceans 17.

 

Scheer, M. Hofmann, B. & Behr, P.I. (1998a). Interactions between whale watching vessels and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off the southwest coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands: Behavioural implications. Reportto Viceconsejería de Medio Ambiente, 41 pages.

Scheer, M., Hofmann, B. & Behr, P.I. (1998b). Discrete pod-specific call repertoires among shortfinned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) off the SW coast of Tenerife, Canary Islands. Abstract World Marine Mammal Science Conference, 20-24. January, Monaco by European Cetacean Society and Society for Marine Mammalogy.

 

Short-finned pilot whales underwater photographs by Behr, Hofmann and Scheer were published in 'Marine Mammals: Biology and Conservation' edited by Peter Evans and Toni Raga (2002).

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Research results and photographs were published in the National Geographic magazines (Germany, Spain, South Korea, Israel).

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Images: Field research, Copyright Behr, Hofmann, Scheer

PDF: Excerpts from field diaries of encounters with whales: Copyright: Behr, Diez, Hofmann, Scheer

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