The clever swimmer: A bottlenose dolphin in the ocean With memories that span decades and whistles that serve as names, dolphins reveal remarkable social intelligence. (more) How Intelligent Are Dolphins? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/How-Intelligent-Are-Dolphins Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 29, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Dolphins are highly intelligent animals, and this intelligence appears in many aspects of their lives. One well-documented example is their exceptional social memory, the longest recorded in any nonhuman species. This capacity allows them to recall and identify specific individuals they were once familiar with, even after separations lasting more than 20 years. Dolphins also have a complex communication system and make different sounds for different purposes. For example, they emit rapid clicking noises to interpret their surroundings through echolocation, and they produce whistles to communicate with other dolphins and, in some cases, with other species. Research also suggests that ...(100 of 345 words)

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