Mark's Pages

"The spinner dolphins usually perform a series of spins, each spin tending to be made with less energy, finally finishing up with an emphatic side slap. The power of the spin comes from the tremendous acceleration under the water and the torque of the tail just as the dolphin breaks the surface. The aftermath of the spin — the sound of the slap, the splash on the surface, and the dense bubble cloud underwater, which even distant dolphins can pick up through their echolocation may be the real purpose of the spin." - Wild Dolphin Foundation.